NICTA's eGov Cluster launches $300K digital innovation challenge

Media Release

21 August 2013

NICTA’s eGov Cluster launches $300K digital innovation challenge

Canberra’s NICTA-led Australian eGovernment Cluster (www.egovernmentcluster.org.au) has hosted the launch of a $300,000 competition which will engage ACT innovators and SMEs in the development of new, improved digital government services.

The “Digital Canberra Challenge” is funded by the ACT Government as part of its Growth, Diversification and Jobs; A Business Development Strategy for the ACT program, and has been developed to align closely with the ACT Government’s broader Digital Canberra Agenda. The eGov Cluster has been appointed by the ACT Government to run the DCC under the strategic guidance of the newly established DCC Program Board.

Andrew Barr, ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Economic Development, Education and Training, and Tourism, Sport and Recreation launched the competition at a well-attended event at NICTA’s Canberra Research Laboratory on Monday evening, which also featured a NICTA technology showcase and the winners of the recent GovHack 2013 competition. “Given the economic and productivity gains that can be delivered through the effective and connected use of digital technologies, the ACT Government acknowledges that the digital age provides a wonderful opportunity to deliver more effective services and better access to government information,” Minister Barr said.

“In the lead up to each round of the competition, ACT public servants and members of the public will have the opportunity to put forward unresolved business ‘challenges’ relating to the delivery of government services, with local innovators and SMEs invited to submit conceptual solutions.’”

The top two contestants in each round will receive $12,500 and $7,500 respectively as prize money. It is anticipated that this will stimulate innovation in electronic and mobile technologies, in turn helping to improve community access to government and public sector services.

“Last night’s event demonstrated that Canberra’s SMEs are keen to collaborate with Governments to create innovative ICT to address the increasingly complex problems they face. I anticipate some fabulous results for industry and Government,” said Michael Phillips, eGov Cluster Manager.

Senator Kate Lundy, Minister Assisting for Innovation and Industry, Minister Assisting for the Digital Economy, opened the event. Other VIPs in attendance included Steve Doszpot, MLA, and Chris Faulks, CEO, Canberra Business Council.

The Digital Canberra Challenge Program Board is Chaired by Mr Tony Henshaw, an eminent ACT-based ICT leader. The Program Board includes prominent representatives from NICTA, the eGovernment Cluster, the Canberra Business Council and CollabIT.  For more information visit www.digitalcanberrachallenge.com.au.

About the Australian eGovernment Cluster

The Australian e-Government Technology Cluster (“eGov Cluster”), supported by NICTA, is a national cluster of organisations from Government, industry, research and academia. Its members are collaborating to improve and strengthen the use of ICT in the Australian government sector; and through this advance both public administration and the ICT industry in Australia.

About NICTA

NICTA (National ICT Australia Ltd) is Australia’s Information and Communications Technology Research Centre of Excellence. NICTA develops technologies that generate economic, social and environmental benefits for Australia. NICTA collaborates with industry on joint projects, creates new companies, and provides new talent to the ICT sector through a NICTA-enhanced PhD program. With five laboratories around Australia and over 700 people, NICTA is the largest organisation in Australia dedicated to ICT research.

NICTA is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Australian Research Council through the ICT Centre of Excellence Program. NICTA is also funded and supported by the Australian Capital Territory, the New South Wales, Queensland and Victorian Governments, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology and Monash University.

For further information:

Dorothy Kennedy

Communications Specialist, NICTA

Ph: 02 9376 2098 or 0488 229 687