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The Australian Government Information Management Office Archive

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History

A brief history of the background of the Australian Government Information Management Office.

1994

The Minister of Finance commissioned the Information Technology Review Group to identify opportunities for the Commonwealth Government in taking advantage of developments in information technology (IT).

The Group was charged with considering the major trends in the development of technology, assessing their applicability to and likely impact on Commonwealth information technology, and providing options for the Government on ways of achieving economies of scale and developing "whole of government" approaches in IT.
March 1995

The Information Technology Review Group delivers the report Clients First: the challenge for Government information technology, which provides recommendations to Government that coordinated and standardised approaches to IT resources should be developed across agencies.  The report also recommends that architectures and standards should be improved to enable better interconnection, contestability and outsourcing should be applied to the most effective delivery of solutions, and that access to and movement of critical information across departmental boundaries should be improved. 
August 1996

The Information Policy Advisory Council (IPAC) is established by the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston as a high-level advisory body on online information and communications services and technologies.

IPACs role is to investigate and provide advice and recommendations to the Commonwealth Government on the full range of social, technological and regulatory issues emerging from the rapid development of online services, particularly the Internet, and their increasing use by governments, businesses and other sectors of the community.
July 1997 Report of the Information Industries Taskforce 'The Global Information Economy - The Way Ahead' proposes establishment of a National Information Industries Strategy.  The findings of the Taskforce proposed an action agenda to actively position Australian within the information economy.
 
27 August 1997 IPAC report A National Policy Framework for Structural Adjustment Within the New 'Commonwealth of Information'.
 
16 September 1997  Prime Minister announces the establishment of the National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE) as a separate office within the portfolio held by Senator Richard Alston - Communications, the Information and the Arts. NOIE, advised by a private sector Board given the role to develop, coordinate and provide broad policy overview relating to:
  • establishing the regulatory, legal and physical infrastructure environment for online activities;
  • facilitating electronic commerce;
  • ensuring a consistent Commonwealth position in international fora;
  • overseeing policies for applying new technology to government administration and information and service provision.
Ministerial Council for the Information Economy set up at the same time as a high level Commonwealth committee that coordinates the Government's agenda for Australia in the information economy. It is chaired by Senator Alston and including the Ministers for: Trade; Industry, Science and Tourism; Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs; Finance and Administration; and the Treasurer and the Attorney-General.

IPAC remains as an expert policy advisory body reporting to Senator Alston.
 
2 October 1997 Senator Alston announces establishment of NOIE Advisory Board of Directors chaired by Don Mercer.
 
17 October 1997 Senator Alston announces Dr Rod Badger's appointment as Acting CEO of the National Office for the Information Economy.
 
13 November 1997 Members of NOIE Advisory Board of Directors announced.
 
4 February 1998 Senator Alston announces Dr Paul Twomey's appointment as new CEO of the National Office for the Information Economy.
 
16-17 April 1998 NOIE co-hosts with Telstra a national summit on electronic commerce E-Commerce: Enabling Australia Summit.
 
December 1998 Department of Industry, Science and Resources E-Commerce Branch is integrated in NOIE.
 
1999 Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) absorbs IT responsibilities.
 
  NOIE commences operation as a line area within DCITA.
 
10 July 2000 Senator Alston announces the resignation of Dr Paul Twomey as CEO of the National Office for the Information Economy.
 
11 October 2000 The National Office for the Information Economy is established as an Executive Agency.

Office of Government Online (OGO - formerly OGIT) merges with NOIE.
 
20 December 2000 Senator Alston announces the appointment of John Rimmer to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the National Office for the Information Economy.
 
1 July 2001 The National Office for the Information Economy established as a Prescribed Agency under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997. Its status as a separate agency reflects Government's need for an independent cross portfolio advocate on information economy issues.
 
8 April 2004 The National Office for the Information Economy becomes the Australian Government Information Management Office, with some functions transferring to the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts' Information Economy branch.  The head of the agency is given the title Australian Government Chief Information Officer.
 
22 October 2004

The Australian Government Information Management Office is incorporated in the Department of Finance and Administration, ceasing as an executive agency. Title of Australian Government Chief Information Officer is retained.
 

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