Newman Government reaches for the clouds

The Queensland Government today announced it will adopt a ‘cloud-first’ approach to the procurement of information and communication technology services.

Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Ian Walker, said the move could halve email costs across Government, delivering annual savings of up to $17 million.

“We’ve just completed a successful cloud trial of email services within the Queensland Government Chief Information Office,” Mr Walker said.

“The trial, one of several we have planned, has delivered valuable modelling data that will transform electronic communications across Government.

“The Newman Government is working hard to change the way ICT is delivered in Queensland, to provide better and more cost effective services to Queenslanders.

“Cloud allows us to do that by having our applications delivered over the internet, requiring little to no maintenance.”

“The security of cloud is paramount to the Newman Government and was addressed in the trial and agencies will conduct risk assessments for any system they want to move to Cloud.”

Minister Walker said Labor left behind a legacy of debt and decline across ICT.

“By moving to cloud, the Newman Government is freeing Queensland taxpayers of the costly burden of maintaining and upgrading some ICT infrastructure,” he said.

An Invitation to Offer (ITO) cloud-based services to the State Government would be released to industry towards the end of September, providing a major boost to the local sector.

“The savings we realise by adopting a cloud-based ICT service model can be directed to the provision of front line services to the community,” he said.

“The move to the cloud is a great opportunity for us to partner with industry and achieve efficient outcomes for Queenslanders.

“My Department will take a lead role in the adoption of cloud services and I expect DSITIA will be fully transitioned to cloud email by the end of this year.”

Mr Walker said the Newman Government is committed to major ICT reforms that will revitalise the sector.

[ENDS] 30 May 2013

Media Contact: Alex Bernard, 0417 252 563 / Casie Scott, 0432 453 225