Tanner reveals interim data centre panel

The Federal Government has revealed a list of companies that will provide its data centre facilities and services while it creates a whole-of-government data centre strategy.

The interim list includes Canberra Data Centres, Fujitsu Australia, Global Switch Property Australia, Harbour MSP and Polaris Data Centres.

Lindsay Tanner, the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, explained the move was in response to recommendations from Sir Peter Gershon last year.

"In his review, Sir Peter Gershon foresaw the need for interim arrangements to be put in place to assist agencies in continuing to deliver government services," Tanner said in a statement.

"The Government recognises this need and have offered all agencies the opportunity to seek access to these additional resources, with only a few needing to do so."

Gershon's recommendation to cut contractors had already saved the Federal Government around $7m, which Minister Tanner expected to create 200 full-time IT positions within the public service.

Minister Tanner said development of the final strategy was "progressing well" and he expected it to be published by the end of next year.