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

023/04 23
March 2005

ICT support for greater professionalism

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today convened a meeting between representatives of the ICT and insurance industries to help promote and support professionalism in the ICT sector.

Senator Coonan said the National Professional Standards regime implemented during her tenure as Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer, was one way of promoting professionalism in the ICT sector and improving professional standards and risk management to protect consumers.

"ICT is a critical part of the Australian economy and underpins the competitiveness of all our industries," Senator Coonan said.

"High levels of professionalism and confidence in the ability of Australian professionals is vital to the continued growth of the ICT industry in a globally competitive environment.

" Australia's ICT professionals are talented and innovative, but there is always room for greater professionalism.

"As Minister I want to encourage the ICT industry to make a commitment to improving standards. Today's meeting was very positive and showed the broad support among industry representatives to improving standards and recognising professionalism."

Senator Coonan said she hoped today's meeting would promote further dialogue on professionalism and encourage ICT professionals to think about issues of insurance and professionalism.

She also welcomed the commitment by Engineers Australia and the Australian Computer Society to develop professional standards schemes in consultation with the Professional Standards Council.

Organisations attending today's meeting included the Professional Standards Council (PSC), the Insurance Council of Australia Ltd (ICA), National Brokers Association (NIBA), Risk Management Institution of Australia (RMIA), the Australian Computer Society (ACS), Engineers Australia, the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA), the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), the Internet Society of Australia (ISOC-AU) and the Australian Information Technology Contract and Recruitment Association (ITCRA).

Senator Coonan thanked all those present for their positive contribution.