160/04
25 November 2004
Launch of round 13 IT Online Program
The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today launched Round 13 of the Information Technology Online (ITOL) program.
Through the ITOL program the Australian Government provides up to $200, 000 each to industry based projects that accelerate the adoption of business-to-business (B2B)
e-commerce solutions.
"ITOL fosters the take-up of collaborative e-business across a wide range of industry sectors and helps businesses realise the benefits that new technologies can offer," Senator Coonan said.
"In Round 11 of ITOL projects receiving Australian Government funding include a one-stop-shop for owner/builders, renovators, tradespeople and building suppliers in Western Australia allowing them to select suppliers and tradespeople with a good track record over the Internet.
"In South Australia, Family Day Care Centres are reducing the paperwork and administrative burden associated with time sheets by replacing the paper based system with a web-based system linked to the Commonwealth Child Care Benefit funding.
"And the Goulburn Valley Hospital is trialling an online system for managing the use, stocking and reordering of medical supplies. This project will serve as a model for other hospitals and other industries.
"I encourage industry groups and small businesses to work collaboratively to develop and implement innovative business-to-business solutions."
Since 1996 more than $12 million has been allocated under the ITOL program to 110 projects across sectors as diverse as agriculture, building and construction, health, environment, arts, manufacturing and community.
The ITOL program is funded as part of the Government's 2001 Innovation Statement, Backing Australia's Ability.
ITOL supports key priorities identified as part of Australia's Strategic Framework for the Information Economy 2004-06: Opportunities and Challenges for the Information Age, which was released in July 2004.
It forms part of the Government's ongoing commitment to innovation which continues through Backing Australia's Ability II-Building Our Future through Science and Innovation, a seven-year, $5.3 billion innovation action plan.
Details of how to apply for ITOL funding can be found at: http://www2.dcita.gov.au/ie/ebusiness/developing/itol .
Media Contact: Jane McMillan 0438690305