Aussies honoured for IT contributions
A number of Australians have been recognised for their contributions to the information technology industry over the weekend, with the governor-general announcing their appointment to the Order of Australia as part of the 2012 Queen's Birthday honours.
The highest title in the general division of Australia's honours list — Companion of the Order of Australia — was conferred to former Queensland premier, the Honourable Peter Douglas Beattie.
Beattie was recognised for his contribution and service to parliament and the Queensland community, particularly across the biotechnology, information technology and aviation industries.
During his reign as premier between 1998 and 2007, he kicked off a "Smart State" restructure aimed at transforming Queensland into an attractive place for research and development.
Vice Admiral Peter David Jones was also named an Officer of the Order of Australia in the military division for his distinguished service as the Royal Australian Navy's head of information and communications technology operations, and the head of its capability systems in the capability-development group.
Jones is described as having the values of "outstanding leadership, integrity and dedication", who "wielded extraordinary influence in shaping the information and communications technology for its next generation".
Founding NICTA board member Brand Hoff was named Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the IT industry. In particular, his work to innovate product development and research for the ACT community was recognised.
He is responsible for developing one of the first national communications networks for the Commonwealth Treasury, and he later sold his own successful IT firm, Tower Software, to Hewlett-Packard in 2008.
Dr Ian Norman Reinecke was also named Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the IT industry. His contributions to the development and implementation of a uniform national health system was highlighted in particular, as was his role as an advisor and coordinator of the technology behind the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Reinecke has a long history in the IT industry, being the founding CEO for the National E-Health Authority (NEHTA) and a former member of the Commonwealth Government 2.0 Taskforce. He also completed a review of how the Federal Government handled the recommendations of the Gershon review.
Also in the military division, Colonel Steven James Lee was named Member of the Order of Australia for his service as the director of information and communications technology capability-management between 2007 and 2008 and his role as commandant of the defence command-support training centre between 2009 and 2011.
He is described as having demonstrated "exceptional initiative and leadership", and having "improved the delivery of essential services and training in support for the Australian Defence Force".
Victorian deputy secretary of industry and trade for the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development Randall Lyn Straw was awarded the Public Service Medal for his contribution to the community as a "leading advocate, strategist and practitioner of technology-based innovation, and for making a significant contribution to the development of Victoria's public sector, ICT industry and research base".
He is described as an individual that has initiated "innovative and effective approaches to government procurement", and one who has "led collaborative and creative partnerships between the public and private sectors".