REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT COMPUTER SYSTEMS WILL DELIVER COST SAVINGS

Published Monday, 23 October, 2006 at 11:00 AM

Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten

A major review into State Government use of information communication technology will save Queensland taxpayers at least $135 million a year, Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communications Technology Robert Schwarten said today.

State Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the Service Delivery and Performance Commission’s report on its Review of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Governance in the Queensland Government.

Minister Schwarten said the review would transform the way the Queensland Government delivers ICT and would it easier for industry to do business with government.

“This report represents a major opportunity for the Government to reshape the role of ICT in delivering better services to Queenslanders. It gives clear direction the future,” he said.

Key outcomes of the review include:

  • Reorientation of CITEC to focus primarily on providing ICT services to the Queensland Government
  • Establishment of an ICT Innovation Centre within CITEC which will enable government agencies and suppliers to work together to pilot projects
  • Consolidation of the Government’s ICT infrastructure, networks and data centres
  • Greater coordination of ICT procurement and service delivery across State Government departments.

“For the first time we’ll be looking at a whole-of-Government framework to guide the development of our information systems,” Minister Schwarten said.

“That framework is going to ensure that decisions about ICT right across Government align with government priorities.”

He said the Government’s new approach to ICT would be underpinned by the creation of two new functions: the Queensland Government Chief Information Office and the Queensland Government Chief Technology Office.

Minister Schwarten said the Department of Public Works would work with all government agencies to ensure that the significant changes recommended in the report were successfully implemented.

Media Contacts: David Shankey 32371184