Previously, only 21 percent of Australians accessed online government services. But the survey, which was commissioned by the Australian Government Information Management Office, still found that -- in terms of individual behavior -- the most common channel used was face-to-face service with 52 percent, followed by phone with 26 percent and the Internet with 15 percent. The least popular channel was through the mail.
The Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) made the finding in an independent survey it commissioned of nearly 6,000 Australians.
"This is the first study to cover federal state, territory and local government together, and it shows that people will use online services if they know they're available," Special Minister of State, Senator Eric Abetz, said.
The federal government survey is the first of its kind to cover e-government at federal, state and local levels.
Compiled by a consortium of Dandolopartners, Roy Morgan Research and BDO Consulting on behalf of the Australian Government Information Management Office, the survey of nearly 6000 Australians found usage of e-government services has jumped from 21 percent in 2002 to 39 percent in 2004.
Senator Eric Abetz, the Special Minister of State, issued a statement this morning saying he "could see merit" in a recommendation by the Privacy Commissioner -- who completed a review of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act 1988 several weeks ago -- for a wider review of privacy legislation.
Weiterlesen: Australia: E-government Minister backs privacy law review