Tuesday, 9th May 2006 - The Australian Computer Society (ACS), the peak professional body for the IT sector, today sought and immediately received assurance from the Federal Government that advice and resourcing for the proposed Smartcard project will be sought from within Australia in the first instance.

The ACS represents the interests of thousands of Information and Communications Technology professionals throughout Australia.

ACS President Philip Argy, spoke this morning with Human Services Minister, Joe Hockey to seek the Minister’s personal assurance that the government would first have resort to domestic expertise before looking offshore. Mr Argy noted the importance of the involvement of Australian ICT professionals in the development of the card, which will replace 17 health and welfare cards.

Philip Argy, President, ACS, explains, “I am pleased to have the personal assurance of Human Services Minister Joe Hockey that Australian expertise will be the first resort for the development of the Smartcard. I accept the Minister’s approach that, where there are better credentialed individuals offshore for particular facets of the smartcard project, it is appropriate for them to be engaged. But I made plain to the Minister that it should not be assumed that all requisite expertise was offshore.

“We have a wealth of talent within our Australian ICT industry. This important project provides an opportunity to deploy and showcase that talent to the benefit of all Australians. Who better than our own professionals to ensure that the outcome of the report and the project is to best practice standards and in the best interests of the Australian public?“

The Smartcard plan announced by the Government last month, involving the introduction of a single card armed with a computer chip, is scheduled for introduction from 2008 at a cost of $1 billion. The Prime Minister has announced that the Smartcard would lead to savings of $3 billion over 10 years and would be funded up front in the Budget over four years.

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Media information: Fleur Brown (02) 9270 0241 or mobile: 0419 270 863

This media release is located online at www.acs.org.au/news/090506.htm

About the ACS: The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the recognised professional association for those working in Information and Communications Technology, seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and represent their views to government, industry and the community. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector, committed to ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It provides both members and non-members with opportunities for professional education and CP Program, as well as enabling them to contribute to the development of their profession. Visit www.acs.org.au for more.

About the ACS Foundation: An initiative of the Australian Computer Society, the ACS Foundation was established in August 2001, to encourage both private and public sponsorship of IT higher education and research projects. By increasing funding opportunities for industry to contribute to education programs, the Foundation seeks to create a highly skilled workforce, able to effectively access research and industry-specific training. The only national scholarship facilitator focused exclusively on the IT industry, the ACS Foundation receives funding from IT companies, industry associations, Government bodies, individuals and the ACS itself. Visit www.acsfoundation.com.au for more information.