Queensland govt hunts for CIO

digital economy strategy, reports Computer World.

The Queensland government CIO will oversee ICT project management for the government. The government is now on the hunt for the right candidate, with the successful candidate set to report directly to the minister for ICT, and support the director-general of the state Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The move comes as a response to the PricewaterhouseCoopers-commissioned review after the Queensland Health shared services debacle, which saw staff overpaid, underpaid or not paid at all, according to ZDnet.

Until now, the CIO role had been carried out by the director general of Public Works - previously Mal Grierson, who had gone on leave, with Natalie MacDonald taking his place.

IT News reveals that Premier Anna Bligh says the new CIO will be responsible for ICT project and programme management, ICT planning and the implementation of the Towards Q2 ICT strategic plan; government enterprise architecture; industry liaison and workforce capability; and shared services policy.

According to My Sunshine Coast, Bligh says the ICT industry is a significant contributor to Queensland's economy, employing 80 000 people, generating revenue of around $29 billion and exporting more than $1.15 billion of intellectual property every year.

“This new arrangement will ensure sufficient drive exists within the public service to put Queensland at the forefront of a digital economy,” says Bligh.