077/06
14 August 2006
Australia’s best kept “secrets” in ICT to be revealed
The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today launched the 2006 Secrets of Australian ICT Innovation competition.
“Now in its fifth year, the competition recognises and assists Australian ICT innovators to market their technology to the world,” Senator Coonan said.
“Australia looks to these innovative companies to show to the world that we can produce leading products and services that will transform businesses and increase wealth.
“The Australian Government is proud to support the Secrets competition because it celebrates and recognises the vast pool of talent in Australian ICT firms.”
Since its inception in 2002 the competition has attracted more than 700 applications from companies across Australia. Entrants compete for the opportunity to showcase their talents both nationally and internationally to a global audience of customers, partners and investors.
Applications are invited in seven categories with up to three winners in each category sharing in $105,000 worth of prizes. The competition categories are: business industrial software solutions, communication applications, commerce, health, security, learning and entertainment.
“In launching the 2005 competition I encouraged the industry to get behind this competition either as an applicant or a sponsor,” Senator Coonan said.
“I was pleased to see Cisco Systems and Dell Australia provided sponsorship support in 2005 and I am very pleased to acknowledge their continued support in 2006 as major sponsors of the competition.
“I would encourage all those companies considering sponsorship to get behind this competition that is doing so much to promote Australia globally as a producer of truly innovative ICT solutions for a broad range of sectors. Recognition is not only important for individual winners, it is important for the industry as a whole as it competes in a global market.”
Applications close 20 October 2006.
For full details on the competition visit the competition website www.itsecrets.com.au or contact the competition director by emailing itsecrets@dcita.gov.au or calling (02) 6271 1749.