ICT contractor rates are rising, signalling what could be “a record year for contract workers", according to the latest findings from IT recruiter, Peoplebank.

Microsoft’s new country manager, Pip Marlow, has been with the company for 15 years and brings a wealth of channel experience to the role. She chats with ARN about her vision for the company in 2011 and how she plans on maintaining her work/life balance.

The Gershon Review’s recommendation to halve the amount of contractors working for the Federal Government in favour of permanent staff, has impacted on the work of a number of agencies, according to Ovum.

New Special Minister of State, Gary Gray, in his first full Q&A defines his role, his relationship with the tech industry and dealing with the Gershon review

Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, has retained his position in the Gillard Government’s cabinet with an increase in responsibility.

Former Finance Minister and driver of the Gershon Review into Government IT, Lindsay Tanner, has become the inaugural vice-chancellor’s fellow at Victoria University.

A re-elected Gillard Labor Government will put its hand into the $1 billion dollar Gershon-funded honey pot -- a fund reserved for government Information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects -- to fund other election promises.

Forty-four new IT projects from 20 different Government agencies will share in funding as part of the $502.4 million reinvestment into ICT efficiency.

Labor Senator, Kate Lundy, is one of the few Government politicians to go on record against the proposed mandatory ISP filter. ARN spoke with her about voting against it, the effects of Gershon on jobs and CeBIT 2010.