Internet Society of Australia
A Chapter of the Internet Society
ACN 076 406 801
The Internet is for Everyone
The Internet Society of Australia (ISOC-AU) today announces the appointment of an Executive Director to strengthen its support for the large number of new Australian Internet users and to develop the Society's profile, strategic planning and funding.
Mr Tony Hill has been appointed Executive Director of the Society and will commence in this position on 2 September 1999.
"Mr Hill comes to the Society with an excellent background in strategic management and government relations", said the President of the Society, Dr Kate Lance.
ISOC-AU was founded in 1996 and is the Australian chapter of the global non-profit body the Internet Society, which facilitates education, coordination and activities that develop Internet functionality for all users.
"Our current membership represents the technical strength of early Internet users in Australia. Our aim now is to broaden the appeal of the Society to embrace the newest generation of Internet users", Dr Lance said.
Mr Hill comes to the Society with a background of more than 20 years in strategic management roles, most recently as manager of the highly successful Australian Government Cooperative Research Centres Program.
"Australia is at a crucial turning point in terms of access to the Internet", Mr Hill said. "In the last two years household Internet connections have increased by more than 1 million, yet the Government has shown little awareness of the real needs of Internet users in its recent decisions."
"For instance, legislation on Internet content will present a major administrative and legal risk for many new Internet businesses and potentially lose Australia valuable economic opportunities."
"Australian business is lagging behind in its use of the Internet. In the USA, electronic commerce is estimated to be worth more than US$100 billion a year already", said Mr Hill.
"Australian business risks losing out as consumers begin to shop with overseas business on the Net. It needs support to tap both the enormous growth of the Internet as a market as well as its potential as a tool for making communication more efficient."
"I will be looking for the Society to embrace the needs of all of the new users of the Internet - business, families, individuals and organisations - protecting their interests and helping them to maximise their benefits and access to the Net", Mr Hill said.
Contact:
Tony Hill, ph: 0412 128 755, (02) 6257 5544
Kate Lance ph: (03) 9251 3672
Leni Mayo, ph: (03) 9428 5530
INTERNET SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA
The Internet is for Everyone