The UK’s Director General Criminal Justice, IT, John Suffolk is in Australia this week (briefing Australian firms on the opportunity to participate in the UK’s criminal justice system which has had a funding injection of $5.18 billion.

Austrade’s London-based senior trade commissioner, Alison McGuigan-Lewis said Australia is viewed as one of the world leaders in the management of its criminal justice system with regards to efficiency, data quality, access and the use of technology.

“Austrade’s London office has focussed on the opportunities in Criminal Justice IT (CJIT) following the introduction of a British Government program in 2002 to build the foundation for a modern, effective and integrated criminal justice system by 2008,” McGuigan-Lewis said.

“Australia is seen as one of the countries at the forefront of inter-agency information sharing and connectivity in the judicial area and this experience is viewed favourably in the UK. Austrade has implemented a vehicle to raise the profile of Australian companies working in this sector by showcasing their products to key stakeholders in the various agencies involved as well as the system integrators.

“John Suffolk’s particular interests while visiting Australia is in reviewing IT systems used in end-to-end solutions across multiple jurisdictions/departments within the Australian criminal justice and law enforcement environment.

“Mr Suffolk’s team in London along with other key stakeholder agencies have been reviewing the participants’ technologies as have a number of system integrators in this area, on behalf of Austrade London for the UK CJIT program, with a view to bringing these companies to the UK,” she said.

Austrade’s London-based business development manager, Mark Thirlway said although the UK’s CJIT program has been running for some time in the UK, it is clear there are key elements of technology absent to complete the connectivity that is crucial for the success of the program.

“Austrade’s focus on CJIT will highlight the Australian capability in this area and increase awareness of the niche technology companies providing critical solutions in Australian agencies to the UK market,” Thirlway said.

“John Suffolk’s visit to Australia can only highlight the view the UK has on Australian technology and its potential for the market.”

Austrade’s Melbourne-based senior export adviser, Stan Roche said the CJIT program complements Australia’s global leadership in eGovernment and whilst exporters should be encouraged to take up the challenge of selling into the lucrative UK public sector, it is also highly competitive and ruthless.

“Austrade has identified a group of over 20 companies who are supplying key components of these systems.  In addition to meeting key agencies, Mr Suffolk will also be meeting these companies and undertake selected site visits to view the technologies in situ,” Roche said.