AEEMA supports revamped ICT FrameWork Group

By
Tuesday, 30 April, 2002

The Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA) has welcomed an announcement by Senator the Hon Richard Alston, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, to expand the membership of the "Framework for the Future" Steering Committee. This decision provides an opportunity to embrace a broader representation from the Australian ICT industry.

According to Angus M Robinson, Chief Executive, AEEMA, the Minister's decision can be interpreted as firm recognition by the Government that the ICT industry comprises a broad range of key interest groups that contribute significantly to providing infrastructure, services, skills and content.

The National ICT Alliance, which has been in existence since January 2001, so far comprises 14 organisations, ie;

Asia Pacific Smart Card Forum
Australian Computer Society
Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association
Australian Information Industries Association
Australian Interactive Multimedia Industry Association
Australian Microelectronic Network
Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association
Australian Telecommunications Users Group
Internet Industry Association
Internet Society of Australia
National Electrical & Communications Association
Service Providers Industry Association
Small Enterprise Telecommunications Centre Ltd
Software Engineering Australia

Mr Robinson also welcomed the inclusion of well-known ICT industry identities Dr Terry Cutler and Daniel Petre. He said that he was also pleased to see the inclusion of Mr Chris Howells from Redfern Photonics. Mr Howells, who is a former Director of AEEMA, is currently a Board member of the Photonics Industry Forum. This AEEMA-administered forum, which represents some 27 Australian photonics industry members (including R&D and education interests), was established to promote the development of a technologically advanced and viable photonics industry in Australia, and to position Australia internationally as a leading supplier of photonics technology and applications.

Mr Robinson said that he believed that 2002 would prove a pivotal year for the Australian ICT and key related industry sectors such as electronics and electrical manufacturing.