Senator the Hon Helen Coonan was Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from 18 July 2004 to 3 December 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Senator Stephen Conroy is the current Minister for the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

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22 April 2005

ICT SME Working Party’s final report released

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today welcomed the release of the final report of the Information and Communications Technology Small to Medium Enterprise Joint Industry–Government Working Party.

“The ICT Small to Medium Joint Industry-Government Working Party was established in June 2002 to help simplify the ICT industry development arrangements for Government purchasing of ICT goods and services,” Senator Coonan said.

“SMEs are a significant source of innovation, job and wealth creation for Australia. By addressing the issues particular to the ICT SME sector, the Working Party helped to address the challenges and opportunities faced by this sector.”

Various activities the Working Party was involved in include workshops for ICT SMEs about the Australian Government ICT market; producing the publication Selling ICT to Government: A guide for SMEs and the creation of an ICT SME Information Unit within the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

The Working Party also provided valuable input into refining the Endorsed Supplier Arrangements—the supplier pre-qualification program—which is administered by the Department of Finance and Administration and AusTender.

The Working Party also provided leadership on the development of the Government’s position on intellectual property and liability in ICT procurement contracts.

Senator Coonan thanked the Working Party for all their hard work and in particular, Brand Hoff, Founding Director TOWER Software, for his role as Chairman.

Some members of the Working Party also delivered a separate report to the Minister which Senator Coonan is currently reviewing.

“ICT SMEs are a particular focus for Australian Government action. The Government will continue to work towards practical measures to ensure this sector has access to Australian Government ICT contracts,” Senator Coonan said.

The ICT SME Joint Industry-Government Working Party report is available on the DCITA website at www.dcita.gov.au/ict