The Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has announced a review of the Australian state government"s software and ICT procurement policies following a meeting with representatives from industry yesterday.
The review will commence immediately with Beattie acknowledging that ICT is a multibillion dollar industry in the state employing 56,000 people.
One of the delegates and chair of Software Queensland Dr Paul Campbell said, "We put the case to the Premier that current procurement policies could be significantly improved to create more jobs."
Despite the government"s Smart State push, it has come under a lot of criticism in recent months for selecting multinational vendors as suppliers. One notable provider is SAP which has partnered with the government for the past 10 years.
"We explained to the Premier that it is a two-way street and that an immediate review of government procurement policies is vital for the ICT industry to grow in Queensland," Campbell said.
"The state"s ICT industry is world class and we want the opportunity to tender for more public sector work. This will also create a more competitive market ensuring taxpayers" dollars are maximized with government spending on ICT."
Earlier this week an ICT Leaders Summit was held in Brisbane to promote a closer relationship between government and industry.
Attending the summit, Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) CEO Rob Durie said the government needs to change its purchasing model to reflect the significance of ICT locally.
He said Queensland has an opportunity to be an example to other states by leading the way for a collaborative approach to maximizing the benefits and advancements that technology can provide to business.
The government has set up a working party chaired by the Minister for Public Works and Housing, Rob Schwarten, to represent government agencies and meet with delegates of the new ICT forum.
The goal for industry is to work with government on a whole-of-industry initiative with the first meeting set to take place next month.