Statement from TasICT President David Mills 11.04.24
This week’s announcement by Premier Jeremy Rockliff that he intends to form a new government with the agreement of the Jacquie Lambie Network and independent MPs ushers in a new chapter for the state and for TasICT.
The TasICT committee has met over the course of several weeks during the election period and has been squarely focussed on how to deliver the best outcomes for our organisation and our members.
We are disappointed to see the removal of a discreet ministry for Science & Technology, and have let the Premier know this. He has confirmed that Eric Abetz has carriage of this as part of the Business and Industry portfolio, and we welcome the opportunity to meet with Minister Abetz in due course.
It is important to place on record our respect for the outgoing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie who was a terrific representative of our $1.7b industry, and the 11,000 tech jobs that form part of it.
TasICT is confident that we can continue to inform and advise the Tasmanian government on the best approach to empowering Tasmania through technology in the months ahead.
Our priorities of ensuring the value of the technology industry grows in Tasmania are at the front of our thinking, and we are confident the job creating opportunities put forward by TasICT will find favour with the new Government.
We are also cognisant and pleased to acknowledge that a former CEO of TasICT, Dean Winter, has been elevated to Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Winter understands our industry intimately and we look forward to continuing our positive relationship.
The parliament that Tasmanians returned at this election includes a record number of MPs on the crossbench – in some ways the parliament has never been more complex, and getting the priorities of TasICT members heard will be a significant challenge.
To that end, TasICT has been diligently considering the best strategy and arrangement to achieve our goals.
We will now begin the process of recruiting a new corporate affairs manager to join our events manager Katharine Jayne – watch this space.
Finally, I wish to thank members of the executive and committee for their advice and support as we navigate the beginnings of a new phase for TasICT in Tasmania.
I am looking forward to sharing with TasICT members our updated strategy in due course as we continue to educate, inform and collaborate with the Tasmanian Government to ensure ICT issues are recognised as a fundamental enabler of social and economic development in Tasmania.