Budget 2006: Technology takes centrestage - News - Hardware

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Budget 2006: Technology takes centrestage

By Iain Ferguson and Munir Kotadia, ZDNet Australia with AAP
May 09, 2006
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/hardware/soa/Budget-2006-Technology-takes-centrestage/0,130061702,139255876,00.htm

The federal government has confirmed funding for the controversial health and welfare access card scheme in tonight's budget. Airport security, Centrelink's call centre and DIMIA are other winners.

AIIA welcomes 'supportive' Budget
The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) on Wednesday said this year's budget was "supportive of the ICT industry" and encouraged growth of the sector.

Big Brother nonexistent and Orwell a blogger: Minister
The only Big Brother in Australia is the high-rating television program and George Orwell would be regularly blogging were he alive today, according to the minister responsible for e-government .

Identity theft battle high on federal agenda
The federal government last night announced it would establish identity security "strike teams" and deploy a document verification service (DVS) in an effort to combat identity fraud.

Feds confirm smart card, Centrelink spend
The federal government this evening confirmed it had allocated AU$1.09 billion over four years to a controversial health and welfare access card scheme, which a private consultant said would save AU$3 billion over 10 years.

Govt, industry to enhance air cargo screening
Domestic and international air cargo security screening will be boosted under a $48 million budget package.

Immigration gets funds for IT upgrade
Record-keeping and information technology systems funding at the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMIA) has received a healthy shot in the arm from the federal government tonight.

Budget boosts business IT spend
The federal government is making it more attractive for companies to buy computers -- and other assets categorised as plant and equipment -- by allowing them to depreciate faster.

ABC, SBS to drive digital take-up
Australia's two national broadcasters, the ABC and SBS, will receive at least $1 billion over the next decade to move into the digital era and boost the take up of the new technology.

Government slices value of stake in Telstra
The federal government has cut the estimated value of its majority stake in Telstra by six percent, or around $1.5 billion.