ICT WA 2007

The conference on Friday 12 October at Technology Park Function Centre was a great success with excellent speakers complemented by worthwhile networking between the diverse, individual participants - much as a reflection of the diversity of the IT industry in WA. The formal opening by the Chair of ICTICC, Valerie Maxville was followed by the opening address by The Hon Francis M Logan MLA, The Minister for Resources, Industry and Enterprise.

In addition to Fran, we were joined by Dr Judy Edwards MLA, Member for Maylands, in a great demonstration of support from the government. I was privileged to be able to speak with Judy about several issues and was gratified to find that she was happy to talk to me about ICT and wider industry issues and has a solid understanding of the subject matter.

The keynote speakers were Vince Troth, GM of Optus in Western Australia who deferred to Dean Smith, GM of Government Affairs to elaborate on the OPEL Joint Venture under Broadband Connect; and Dr Nick Archibald, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of Geoinformatics Exploration, who spoke about the ICT challenges in mineral exploration.

The Chair, Valerie Maxville, first spoke of the whole ICT Week which sought to emphasis the ICT WA brand. The week kicked off with the eWaste Collection event 'bring out your dead' computers and other ICT equipment, that doubled expectations in an initiative on environmental commitment. The Women in ICT and Engineering luncheon that was playfully and meaningfully entitled, 'Lack of Women or an Excess of Men? Strategies for Cultural Change,' was a sell-out event, where Jaye Radisich, MLA spoke about similar challenges she has faced in the political arena.

The WA DIG 24-hour gaming event and expo held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre showed a range of diverse careers in ICT apart from programming. The ICT WA Portal is under development and will offer information on careers, education and career prospects. Valerie welcomed input into development of the portal, intended to sell ICT WA. She also raised the issue of career and training and strategies for combatting the skills shortage; combined approach of industry, government, education and community organisations.

Francis Logan told an anecdote from the time he was studying economics at Sydney Uni and spoke with Laurie Carmichael, famed union militant of the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU). He was a visionary, into model railway collecting, roses and classical music (we promise not to tell anyone), who was ahead of his time in foreseeing the use of computers for organisation and communication.

Fran (as he is known by all and sundry) welcomed the Hon Dr Judy Edwards, Member for Maylands, then spoke about the inquiry, ICT Industry Development Strategy and the earlier Enabling Future Prosperity (2004 by Clive Brown), where his government had implemented 34 of 42 recommendations by March 2006 at $60M cost. This included the creation of ICT ICC (convener of this conference), a great initiative, allowing the ICT industry in WA to speak as 'one group with one collective voice.'

The launch of Project Connect on 27 Sept 2006 supported by the WA Branch of ICN (Chamber of Commerce and Industry), to identify opportunities in government and industry and advising registered companies of those opportunities (www.ictwa.com.au). The WA ICT Capability Directory, currently with 153 companies registered, promotes the WA ICT industry. The ACS Foundation scholarships for under-privileged groups are a point of pride, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, financially disadvantaged, regional and academically gifted. AIIA development of business skills for entrepreneurs programme; iVEC funding including the APAC conference (this week); 4 Oct Open Source Symposium.

The establishment of Interzone, the third-largest gaming and digital content developer in the USA, in WA. The SKA (Square Kilometre Array) will need massive computing power. The Statewide Broadband Network to link all of government. Tech Park (where this conference is hosted) is a critical part of growing ICT industry in WA. 'Beyond the Boom' - ICT, Marine, Biofuels and Renewables, Biotech expect infrastructure investment of $22B over the coming years. Australian Marine Complex (AMC) - $300M. WA Institute of Medical Research (Prof. Fiona Stanley).

AMC - modular shipbuilding, oil and gas, process facilities, crainage, dry dock to 13,000t ships. Plan to assume control of Department of Agriculture land ~20ha - expect master plan around xmas or early next year - to transform facilities, town centre, shops, apartments. To make Tech Park a dynamic place to work, live, entertain and to be entertained, to showcase WA ICT - the state's largest cluster.