$24m for tech in ACT budget

The Australian Capital Territory Government pledged just over $20 million for technology initiatives in its budget, released yesterday.

Of these funds earmarked for new projects, $11.9 million would be spent this year.

The biggest focus for this year is an upgrade of the government's data network infrastructure, in an attempt to better safeguard the government's business and information. The territory's Shared Services Centre has been allocated $6.1 million for the job.

Other allocations include $2.6 million for a mobile data solution project within the Department of Justice and Community Safety's Emergency Services Agency and $12.5 million over three years for a real-time passenger information system for Canberra's transport system.

The real-time system will allow passengers to see when buses are scheduled to arrive at specific stands and to be informed when there are timetable changes. The territory has also begun a project to introduce a smart ticketing project for Canberra's transport for which it has contracted Downer EDI.