A: PRESS REPORTAGE
NOTE: THIS SECTION KEYED FROM HARDCOPY}
A01
The Australian
2007 words
A01a
The Australian - 28 October 1986
Gala Opening for extension to Qld Govt's DP centre
THE Premier of Queensland, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, didn't disappoint the
crowd at the opening of the $20 million extension to the State Government
Computer Centre in Brisbane last week.
The Premier, who is facing a State election on November 1, was
presented with a tie-pin decorated with a microchip containing
more memory than the first computer the centre bought in 1965.
Never one to let an opportune moment slip by, Sir Joh reminded guests of
the awesome power of high technology.
"Now you know why I'm so afraid of the ID card that our beloved brethren in
Canberra are so fond of," he said.
Stages one and two of the State Government Computer Centre are worth $50
million. The stage two building cost $20 million and $30 million of computer
equipment is installed in both sections.
The importance of the centre was demonstrated by the calibre of guests at
the opening ceremony.
Sir Joh, who officiated, was backed up by the Deputy Premier, Mr Bill Gunn,
the Minister for Works and Housing, Mr Claude Wharton, the Minister for
Industry, Small Business and Technology, Mr Mike Ahern, and the Under-
Treasurer, Mr Leo Hielscher.
With four floors below ground level and two above, the centre is highly
secure and only certain staff are permitted into "dark areas" where central
processors are situated.
Indeed, staff on one level underground have a large television screen
relaying pictures from a camera focussed on street level to relieve the
bunker-like*bunker-lie atmosphere and let them know just what sort of a
day it is outside.