This is the second year that I have had the pleasure of announcing the finalists in the 2012 Excellence in eGovernment Awards, ICT Professional of the Year Award and the Government 2.0 Innovator Award.
It’s always good to get a positive response to our call for nominations. This year it is pleasing to see that we received 56 nominations across the three Award programs.
What is particularly pleasing to hear was that the number of nominations received from across all the three levels of government was relatively evenly balanced. We received 20 nominations from Commonwealth agencies; 21 nominations from State agencies; and 15 from Local Government bodies. I think these figures show that Australia’s pool of ICT talent crosses all government sectors.
To those 21 finalists that have made it through to the next round of judging I wish them well. To the remaining 45 nominees I say don’t be disappointed. As I mentioned when I opened the Awards, every nomination received is an acknowledgement by your agency of a job well done. May I take this opportunity to again endorse that sentiment and to encourage you all to continue “raise the bar”.
I recommend that you look at the finalist details at the Australian Government ICT Awards Program homepage.
The finalists will now be assessed by a National Judging Panel composed of selected state and territory Chief Information Officers and independent ICT industry representatives.
I hope you will join me in congratulating the finalists announced today and the Award winners when they are announced at the ICT Celebration Dinner, during CeBIT Australia, on 23 May 2012 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.