The Victorian Government is seeking input from the public on a draft ICT strategy being developed the Victorian Information and Communications Advisory Committee (VICAC).

 

The draft outlines the future management and use of ICT by government and how Victorian Government can better design and use information to delivery-improved services.

 

“Online services and new technologies continue to transform the way we shop, bank and live. Government must take advantage of these capabilities to remain in touch with the industry, to connect with our communities and to drive down the cost of government services,” State Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips said.

 

VICTAC’s chair Grantly Mailes said governments were starting to harness wider market capabilities and competition for the development of new technologies.

 

“Shifts in technology, culture and economies are leading governments across the world to reassess their role, and how they deliver services,” Mr Mailes said.

 

“Victoria has the added advantage of a strong local ICT industry ready to contribute to this process.”

 

Mr Rich-Phillips said that developing a new strategy was key to avoiding cost blow outs and ensuring better ICT policy making.

 

“With VICTAC’s draft strategy, ICT enabled projects will be structured to deliver benefits more quickly through co-ordinated smaller, staged projects. This approach should improve delivery timelines and reduce the risk of delivery issues,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

 

The proposed strategy is a work in progress which will be further refined after public consultation and supported by more detailed implementation work – it can be found at www.vic.gov.au/ictstrategy.  Consultation will close on 17 October 2012.

 

Following the consultation period, VICTAC and the Victorian Government will review the feedback and consider it in the final strategy design.