Under the four-year agreement, the Queensland State Government will commit $10 million to supporting ICT research in NICTA QRL including ongoing development of a range of public security technologies for the state and research on human system integration to ensure ICT systems fit human needs.

Since it opened in 2005, NICTA's Queensland Research Laboratory (QRL), has developed a number of important technologies within its key project Smart Applications for Emergencies (SAFE), some of which are already being trialled by a number of Government agencies.

The Laboratory has also been working closely with Queensland Transport to develop a new Intelligent Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security technology to detect unusual and potentially threatening behaviour around key transit centres and has also developed a wireless mesh network technology solution for emergency services requiring high bandwidth in very dynamic situations.

QRL Director Dr Chris Scott noted that "The funding means that NICTA will be able to continue to build on its research successes in the area of safety and security to improve Queensland's and Australia's ability to respond to natural disasters and terrorist events."

According to Dr Scott, the research outcomes will provide commercial opportunities for local industry and enable worldwide markets to be addressed in these growing areas of need.

NICTA CEO Dr David Skellern said: "Over the three years it has been in operation, NICTA QRL has made an outstanding contribution to Australian ICT innovation in the areas of safety and security technologies".