Chapman reappointed to ACMA chair role
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy announced yesterday that the chairman of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Chris Chapman has been reappointed to his role.
"I am pleased to announce the reappointment of Mr Chris Chapman as the chair of the ACMA. Mr Chapman has chaired ACMA since 27 February 2006 and is well regarded for his leadership," Conroy said in a statement yesterday. "Under his continuing leadership, the ACMA will be well placed to support the transition to the emerging digital economy."
Chapman was originally appointed to the role for a five-year term in 2006 when the authority first formed.
In addition to Chapman's reappointment, former Unwired general counsel and Network Ten's business manager Richard Bean was appointed to be deputy chairman, replacing Chris Cheah, who had been acting in the role for the past 18 months.
Industry experts Louise Benjamin, Professor Reg Coutts and Hugh Marks will also be joining the board on a part-time basis.
NICTA welcomes new robot overlord
The minister yesterday also welcomed the appointment of University of Sydney field robotics Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte as the new CEO of research agency National ICT Australia (NICTA).
"Professor Durrant-Whyte is an inspiring individual who has managed to bridge the gap between academia and industry," Conroy said. "Over the past 10 years, he has attracted over $50 million in industry funding and been responsible for developing a robotics group which is arguably the most successful in the world."
Durrant-Whyte said he looked forward to the challenge of leading NICTA into the age of the National Broadband Network.
"Getting use-inspired ICT research 'out the door' and into the market is one of NICTA's most important tasks, as it generates wealth for Australia," Durrant-Whyte said in a statement. "It is an exciting time for ICT research in Australia with the advent of the National Broadband Network and I am confident that NICTA can play an important role in finding solutions to some of the pressing challenges we face in sectors such as healthcare, energy, transport and logistics."