From: pte900@jatz.aarnet.edu.au (Peter Elford)
Subject: Few Surprises in Science White Paper
Reply-To: Peter Elford <P.Elford@aarnet.edu.au>    
Organization: Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet)
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 92 11:45:56 GMT



"Few Surprises in Science White Paper" read the heading on page 16
of the Canberra Times this morning. But right at the end of the article:

"Up to $13 million will be spent over the next two years upgrading the
Australian Academic and Research Network, a computerised link between
researchers and their colleagues in Australia and overseas."

A few phone calls later I had the full story. Please find attached an
extract from the aforementioned white paper, and the DITAC and AVCC
press releases (neither of which Geoff or I saw prior to release). Any
typos are without doubt, mine:

Extract from White Paper
------------------------

Research Data Network

($9.00 million in 1992-93; $13.17 million over two years)

The Government will provide $13.17 million over the next two years to
upgrade the research data network in Australia (AARNet). A working party
will develop a proposal for the expansion of the existing computer and
communications network and upgrading of its capacity, through the formation
of a Research Data Network Cooperative Research Centre. The proposal will
be evaluated and funded under the Cooperative Research Centres Program,
and will be required to meet the normal CRC selection criteria. In
particular the proposal must be relevant to industry and other research
uses, and will be developed with their involvement and support. It will
also be dependent on the provision of matching funds by industry and the
research and user communities. Funding of this centre will not impede the
support, rising to $119 million by 1995, to be provided to up to 50 Centres
selected in three selection rounds of the Program.

The initiative will address one of the major needs for research
infrastructure in Australia identified by the ASTEC in its recent report
on national research facilities, and also highlighted in a recent report
to the Prime Minister's Science Council.


DITAC Press Release
-------------------

Government Funds Research Data Network Upgrade

The Government will provide up to $13 million to upgrade Australia's
research data network, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, Ross Free,
announced today.

"The upgrading of the existing research data network (AARNet) has been
identified as a critical infrastructure requirement for Australian
research in several recent studies", Mr Free said.

"These studies have pointed to the need to upgrade the capcity and speed
of the network to allow a wider range of services, and extend the network
to industry and other research users".

"This is a particularly important issue for Cooperative Research Centres,
which bring together participants in both the public and private sectors,
often at several locations within and between states," Mr Free said.

"The Government is responding to that need by establishing an independent
working party to develop a proposal for a Research Data Network Cooperative
Research Centre," Mr Free said. "The CRC will provide for appropriate
leading-edge equipment, and conduct the research, development and training
necessary to support its use".

The proposal will be evaluated and supported as part of the CRC program, and
funding will be provided over two years, 1992/3 and 1993/4. This funding will
not impede the support, rising to $119 million by 1995, to be provided to
up to 50 Centres selected in the three selection rounds of the Program.

The proposal will be required to meet the criteria for Cooperative Research
Centres, it must be relevant to industry and other research users, and
developed with their cooperation and support. Funding will be dependent on
the provision of matching resources by the research community and industry.


AVCC Press Release
------------------

AARNet Funding to Upgrade Research Effort

The decision to upgrade the Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet)
by the infusion of $13 million through the White Paper on Science and
Technology will be a major aid to improving Australia's rsearch effort, the
Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) said today.

AARNet is a cooperative program which provide a common data communications
service to the Australian academic and research community. It is managed by
the AVCC, through central funding support from Australia's universities, 
the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

AVCC Executive Director, Mr Frank Hambly said the network was now two years
old. It had links nationally and internationally and was playing an 
indispensable role providing electronic mail and related services. Total 
users currently able to access into AARNet, nationally and using 
international connections, is estimated at between seven and 14 million.

"Electronic networks have an unprecedented impact world-wide by enabling
cooperative research between widely distributed centres," he said. "In
Australia, a high-speed communications network offsets the tyranny of
distance and provides the critical research numbers needed to be
internationally competitive.

"An expanded AARNet will improve education and communications by networking
all higher education institutions, the CSIRO and a number of Government
and non-Government research facilities and industry.

[ I thought we had already done this - PTE ]

"It will also have a spin-off in the medical area, allowing a national
communications system for medical imaging and rapid diagnosis.

"As information technology is a rapidly expanding [sic], the Government's
decision to back AARNet will encourage Australia to be a major player in
this important economic area."


-- 
Peter Elford,                             e-mail: P.Elford@aarnet.edu.au
Network Co-ordinator                      phone: +61 6 249 3542
Australian Academic Research Network      fax:   +61 6 249 1369
c/o, Computer Services Centre             pager: +61 6 245 3035
Australian National University            post: GPO Box 1142     
Canberra, AUSTRALIA                             Canberra ACT 2601
Newsgroups: aus.aarnet