Hometown businesses that won through the "rigorous" tender process include web measurement firm Hitwise, PC builder Ipex, consulting and services group Oakton, e-commerce specialist Taten, search engine Web Wombat, and consultants Whitehorse Strategic Group.
Thomson said that the government will increase the number of services available online and make it simpler for people to deal with government online.
The panel includes big international players such as Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, EDS and Logica. India-based Infosys and Tata Consulting Services, both of which recently established a Melbourne presence, are also on the panel. There was no indication of how the AU$30 million will be divided between panellists.
According to Thomson, the contracts with the 105 companies will be established electronically, and this will be the first time a whole-of-Government contract had been signed this way.
Although the panel is a three-year arrangement, participation will be subject to annual review, which will also allow additional companies to participate.
