JOINT NEWS RELEASE

AUGUST 8, 2006

Major Intelligent Island Program Proceeds

The Federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, and Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon today welcomed the appointment of a panel to recommend applications for funding under the Market Access and Partnerships Program (MAPP).

“This is an important step in progressing MAPP in Tasmania, an initiative which will benefit both the Tasmanian ICT industry and the wider Tasmanian economy,” Senator Coonan said.

“The panel members have been appointed on the basis of their wide-ranging experience and expertise in technology, finance, management and commercialisation.”

Mr Lennon said: “This industry-based panel will assess applications against the Market Access and Partnerships Program’s selection criteria and will make recommendations to the Intelligent Island Project Executive.

“Their expertise and experience will be instrumental in identifying the best and most promising applications from the Tasmanian ICT industry.”

Panel members are:

• Graeme Poulton, retired former Managing Director, NEC (Chair);
• Allen Aaron, Director, Technology Venture Partners;
• Sharon Don, General Manager, iBurst;
• John Dyson, Investment Principal, Starfish Ventures Pty Ltd;
• Dr Dagmar Egen, Regional General Manager (SA), KAZ Technology Services;
• Matthew Michalewicz, Chief Executive Officer, SolveIT Software; and
• Gary Twomey, Director, Innovation Management Consultants.

MAPP is a competitive, merit-based grant program that will support Tasmanian ICT companies to develop and commercialise products and services for a global market.

There has been a significant level of interest in MAPP, with 89 Expressions of Interest in MAPP grants received for the first round.

MAPP will support ICT product development, encourage partnerships for business development, provide companies with opportunities to access business and management skills and increase access to external markets.

MAPP will provide up to $18 million in grants over four grant rounds, two each in 2006 and 2007. The first round for Expressions of Interest closed on 21 June, 2006.

Eligible Tasmanian ICT companies will be able to compete for grants of between $200, 000 and $2 million. A portion of the funding is also available for projects that will benefit the Tasmanian ICT industry as a whole.

The $40 million Intelligent Island program is funded by the Australian Government from the second part-sale of Telstra and is administered by the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development.

For more information about the program, contact the Department of Economic Development's Business Point on: 1800 440 026.