21 April 2004
50/04

NICTA EXPANDS RESEARCH BASE TO VICTORIA

The Howard Government's vision for an innovative, world-leading centre of excellence in ICT research continues to be realised.

I welcome today's announcement that National ICT Australia (NICTA) has signed a five year agreement with both the University of Melbourne and Victorian Government to establish a NICTA node in that State.

The laboratory, based at the University of Melbourne, will provide NICTA with access to world-class research talent and premises enabling NICTA to expand its research and development capabilities.

The Howard Government has signalled its ongoing commitment to NICTA with a $251 million extension of funding until 2011 and I am pleased to see that the Victorian Government shares our vision.

The State Government will contribute $8 million to the laboratory to ensure that the Victorian ICT sector benefits from Australia's leading light in ICT research.

In addition, the University of Melbourne will make an in-kind and cash contribution to the laboratory of $20 million over five years and NICTA will provide around $25 million in support, which includes funding from the Australian Government to NICTA.

This will bring the total funding commitment to NICTA until 2011, including support from the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales governments, Australian National University, University of New South Wales and University of Sydney, to nearly $500 million.

NICTA will continue to grow towards critical mass over the next couple of years and the Victorian laboratory will ensure the centre has an increasingly national presence.

By the end of 2006, it is expected the laboratory will be a fully operational ICT research facility with more than 80 researchers and PhD students.

The laboratory's initial program will be closely linked to the Australian Research Council's Special Research Centre for Ultra Broadband Information Networks (CUBIN), directed by the University of Melbourne Federation Fellow Professor Rod Tucker.

Other programs will include research into sensor networks, networking technologies, information processing and network management.

Further information about NICTA is available from www.nicta.com.au

Media Contact:
Carina Tan-Van Baren
(02) 6277 7480/ 0439 425 373