By Rob O'Brien

The Victorian Premier has launched the world’s biggest e-government applications competition with $100,000 in awards up for grabs.

Launching the competition, called App My State, Premier John Brumby encouraged novices and the state’s IT experts to sign up to an initiative that would create new and innovative ways to use government information and provide services to help other Victorians.

"The contest is open to all Victorian residents and offers a share in the $100,000 in prizes for individuals or teams to build the best new applications for Victorians," Mr Brumby said.

"Today we are also releasing over 90 Victorian Government datasets to encourage new applications to be created."

Information and Communication Technology Minister John Lenders said the competition would encourage talented Victorians to combine their innovative ideas with their ICT skills to create useful solutions to life’s little problems.

"The grand prize winner will receive $35,000 in cash prizes – the largest prize pool awarded in this type of competition in the world. The judges will also award a second place prize of $15,000 and a third place of $10,000," Mr Lenders said.

"Those under 26 are also eligible to win $15,000 in prizes, with the top prize awarded $5,000 in cash and a $5,000 hi-tech pack featuring a Cisco Flip Video camcorder, Apple MacBook Pro, PlayStation 3, Apple iPhone 16GB and the second prize awarded a hi-tech pack.

"All entries will also be eligible for a $10,000 Popular Choice prize, which rewards the most popular applications as voted on by the Victorian public."

Mr Lenders said additional prizes would also be awarded to entrants who simply came up with innovative ideas for new applications.

"The competition is not limited to those with tech skills – we also have a category for the best ideas, with prizes worth up to $1,000 to be won," Mr Lenders said.

"We have recruited some of Victoria’s leading innovators to judge the competition - Peter Williams - web 2.0 guru and Director at Deloitte Digital, Marc Edwards from iPhone application developer Bjango, Kate Kendall from Niche Media and Georgia Webster from RRR’s Byte into IT – and I am a judge too."

Mr Lenders said the judges would be looking for unique applications that pay particular attention to innovation, design and development, usefulness, accessibility and general excellence.

Minister for Innovation, Environment and Climate Change Gavin Jennings called on Victorians to get behind the competition.

"We are also offering a special $10,000 sustainability category for apps that look at ways to encourage Victorians to be more environmental sustainability in the home, business or community," Mr Jennings said.

Entries close at noon on Friday 23 April 2010. To read the full rules of the competition and to App My State visit: www.premier.vic.gov.au/app-my-state.html