[LINK] Government teleconferencing

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

The Hon Lindsay Tanner
Minister for Finance & Deregulation, Media Release 08/2009

http://www.financeminister.gov.au/media/2009/mr_082009.html

'Australian Government signs teleconferencing deal with Telstra and Cisco'

Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner, today announced 
the Rudd Government is working with Telstra to deploy the Cisco 
TelePresence system as part of the Government’s teleconferencing project 
for which funding was announced last November.

Lindsay Tanner said: “The purpose of the teleconferencing project is to 
reduce the need for travel for hundreds of meetings that government 
officials are required to attend each year.”

“The total cost of the TelePresence project is $13.8m over four years and 
it is expected to deliver a significant reduction in travel costs, 
improve productivity and lower the impact of carbon emissions.” 

The TelePresence project will provide secure, life-size high-definition 
video facilities connecting various government locations around 
Australia. 

The system will be used in inter-jurisdictional meetings, including 
Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and Ministerial Council meetings.

Installation of the facilities is due to commence at the Commonwealth 
Parliamentary Office at Treasury Place in Melbourne in the coming months, 
followed by a Parliament House facility in Canberra later this year. 

The implementation plan will eventually see TelePresence facilities 
rolled out to more than 20 government locations across Australia. 

Lindsay Tanner said: “Gone are the days of poor sound quality and fuzzy 
images making video conferencing more trouble than it’s worth. 
TelePresence offers big screens, with high definition sound making the 
option of actually choosing to hold a meeting using this technology a 
real and cost-effective alternative to getting on a plane.”

- ends - 

More info on TelePresence system: Peter Witts, Cisco, 0401 890 384

Media Contact: Nardia Dazkiw - 0418 144 690 www.financeminister.gov.au 

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Cheers,
Stephen