With the LNP sweeping to power, it’s good to know that your association has been active in briefing senior LNP policy makers on the needs of the local ICT industry. 

In 2011 when we released a press article critical of both sides of politics, the LNP invited our committee members to come and talk.  In the months ahead, we look forward to seeing how those discussions will transform into action.

The Software Queensland members have unanimously supported the change of name and direction to embrace all local Queensland ICT companies.  This change will be rolled out in the coming weeks.  This is an exciting time for all local Queensland ICT businesses.

General Members meeting to be held on Wednesday Feb 15th, 5:30pm to vote on the change of name and association rules.

We will be working hard to make 2012 a great year for the Queensland IT industry.

With Sue’s passing, we have lost a wonderful person and a great advocate for the Queensland IT industry.  She was always there with words of wisdom and encouragement and will be sorely missed by all.  Our thoughts are with her family at this time.

She was full of life and passionate about everything she did. Our thoughts and wishes are with her family and all her many friends.

Good evening everyone thank you very much for taking the time to be here this evening.

I would especially like to acknowledge Natalie Macdonald (Director General of Public Works), Paul Campbell (CEO of the ICTJWG) and Greg Allen (Chair of QLD ACS) etc

I know some would like to have been here, but this is the final parliamentary sitting week before the Christmas break, and the traffic hasn’t helped.

What a tumultuous year and the promise of even more to come in 2012.

When I took over the Chair two years ago, SWQ was somewhat moribund financially, and unsure as regards its place in the future IT spectrum in this State.

Today we are financially sound, we have more members than the AIIA in this State and are about to sign up our fifth regional member.

Our opinions carry weight, and our counsel is sought after.

We have restored our reputation.

We are truly the mouse that roared.

But why bother, why expose oneself to the press, and the politicians as we have done?

As parents we drive our children to do things they don’t “Feel” like doing.

My youngest daughter, stayed with us recently, and I had to point out that no one feels like keeping a tidy room, or putting stuff away, or managing the laundry.

So it’s no use waiting until you FEEL like doing things, because you won’t - EVER.

SWQ has had to do things it didn’t “feel” like doing.

I like to think we give of our time and efforts because we are still driven, not by business and dollars, but by what is right for the industry.

We did not feel like having to take up the cudgels on behalf of IBM, when we went to the press on the QHealth payroll saga.

However we felt that judgement had been passed on the ICT industry in Qld, without a review of the facts.

Our press release was prescient in reflecting point for point exactly what the Auditor General’s report stated some weeks later.

I will repeat what I have told Ministers ever since I was Chair of the AIIA in 2005/06, we are not anti-anyone or anything, but we are fearlessly pro our industry.

That is still valid.

Why? because Australia and Queensland’s future lies not in digging deeper holes, or tapping gas, but in being productive at what we do best - innovation.

That is why we are so passionate about Small Medium Companies who comprise more than 90% of businesses by number in this State.

They are the cradle of innovation and the spark to growth.

And it’s all about Growth - the Main Game- which seems lost sometimes in the rhetoric between Government and the Industry representative groups.

We need more medium sized companies who are indeed the growth engines of the industry, you know them - the Data#3s and the TechnologyOne’s.

We need to continue to attract the large multinationals like our sponsors IBM, because they give us channels and window to the world.

We cannot win the zero sum commercial war, by trying to compete on price volume, we need to compete on value propositions and innovation and IT is front and centre of that strategy.

We need to get rid of the F word, you know what I am talking about, the word that is used so often in this country.

It is even becoming socially acceptable amongst four letter words.

What I refer to is the word FINE.

How are we doing? - “Fine!”

It has been calculated that the mathematical probability of each one of you being here tonight in your current form, with your DNA intact and stretching back eons to the big bang, is one in 4 trillion.

So each one of you is special, this country is special, but we are not “fine”, that is an understatement of your uniqueness.

SWQ is not “fine”, we need to do better and not be complacent and compliant.

And yes, we have a dream, that one day because of our efforts, our sons and daughters will live better than we have, more secure and creative than we were and that Queensland will be the leading innovative and IT State in Australia.

We won’t do this by being “Fine”.

We will do this by challenging, and by creating new processes, and above all asking the right questions.

We have to learn to tolerate and deal with dissent, and alternative views, we are not a communist state.

Group think is not the panacea for innovation.

So expect SWQ to continue its role.

We intend furthering our regional model, we intend changing our title to something more inclusive, more than just software, and inclusive of all aspects of ICT in Queensland.

I want to thank my committee - Mark Nicklin, and the support of his wife Jo, Sue Wickenden - always ready to take it up like a true Valkyrie - Michael Blumenstein - the voice of moderation - Bob Dunne, my annointed successor as Chair for next year, Bruce Mills for his time and efforts, Bruce you were controversial, but you have brought about necessary change, and Glenn Irvine, who contributed as our association ninja.

I know and appreciate that when you give of your time, you are giving of your business.

We hold our AGM next week and we are very well positioned for a great 2012.

To all of you, and your families, please have a blessed, happy and safe Christmas and New year.

Jo, Jayne and Sue thank you for the arrangements which made this event possible.

SWQ will continue to play a pivotal role in the industry’s future, in this great State.

 Thank you

Just a final word about the announcement of Peter Grant’s appointment as QGCIO, which was made today and now is in the public domain.

I have known Peter for a long time, and he is taking on a very challenging position.

However the move to Premier and Cabinet might well prove to be a good one.

Peter telephoned me today, as I had asked him to be a speaker at TechnologyOne’s Evolve conference next February, some time ago, and he had agreed.

He confirmed that despite his change in circumstances, he would still honour his undertaking.

I found this response most encouraging.

He has also requested to attend Association Meetings, which was also encouraging.

Software Queensland’s stance is as stated before, we will work with anyone as long as it advances the ICT industry in Queensland.

Consequently we wish Peter the best of luck in future.

Bob Dunne has been elected the new Chair of the Software Queensland Board, taking over from John Vickers who will remain on the board as Past Chair.

Bob and the new board committed to continue to grow Software Queensland to champion all Queensland-owned and headquartered ICT companies.

This growth will continue in three ways

•The Regional expansion started by John Vickers will continue through additional affiliations and regional clusters

•The Software Queensland name and articles of association will be changed to reflect the broader vision of representing all Queensland owned ICT companies, whatever their role in the ICT industry.

•There will be a continued focus on increasing the value to members through high value networking, government representation and business assistance.