Bligh makes $18m ICT pledge

National ICT Australia (NICTA) has been allocated $10.05 million over the next four years for its Queensland research laboratory, while the Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation (QCIF) will receive $8.5 million over three years.

Technologies developed by NICTA's Queensland facility are widely used by the state government. One example is software to authenticate and protect digital evidence currently deployed by the state's police force.

The lab was also working closely with Queensland Transport to develop new Intelligent Closed Circuit Television security technology to detect unusual and potentially threatening behaviours around key transit centres, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said in a statement.

Ms Bligh said the new NICTA funding would see a stronger focus on commercialisation.

Meanwhile, she said QCIF's work was important as it had made major breakthroughs in myriad fields including e-science, nano technology, drug design and mining engineering.

According to its website, QCIF was established in September 2001 as an incorporated body with board members being drawn from each member university and the Queensland Government.

Fran Foo | June 27, 2008
Original Article: Australian IT


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