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Backing Australia's ability - ICT initiatives
On 6 May 2004, the Australian Government announced that it would invest $308 million in measures to boost innovation in ICT as part of the $5.3 billion 
Backing Australia's Ability - Building Our Future Through Science and Innovation package announced by Prime Minister John Howard.
This important new science and innovation package includes the following key strategic investments in ICT:
- a $251 million extension of funding for the national ICT centre of excellence, National ICT Australia Ltd (NICTA)
- a $57 million extension of funding for the
ICT Incubators and Advanced Networks Programs previously funded under the Building on IT Strengths (BITS) program.
ICT underpins the development of Australia as an information economy and is central to innovation across most sectors. ICT applications affect every aspect of our lives. They help to deliver better education and health services and to provide people in regional areas with access to facilities that would previously have been out of reach.
The Government's commitment to ICT innovation through Backing Australia's Ability - Building Our Future Through Science and Innovation will help to ensure that Australia is able to harness emerging technologies and remain globally competitive.