The e-government plan, to be unveiled by Special Minister of State Gary Nairn on Thursday, aims to cut red tape and deliver large administrative cost savings.
The strategy paper will outline plans for an array of online services the government plans to build over the next five years.
"The new strategy aims to cut down red tape," Mr Nairn told The Australian.
As part of the plan, the Australian Government Information Management Office will develop a whole-of-government online authentication system for people to deal with any government agency.
The strategy will make dealing with agencies easier and is expected to save tens of millions of dollars in postal costs alone as departments use the internet as the primary means of communicating with the public.
Mr Nairn is expected to outline changes to the way government procures IT systems and services.
He will outline plans for cooperation with the private sector to build and operate the services.
"Instead of industry selling its services and products to government after its products are developed, industry will now be able to better understand the needs of government in the longer term," he said.
"Industry will be involved in the design of products and services, which will meet the needs of government now and in the future and will have an important part to play in implementing the government's new strategy.
"The government recognises the need for flexibility in deployment of business systems and procurement arrangements.
"We want agencies to operate in a collaborative, connected manner, rather than in isolation from each other.
"By outlining its strategic priorities for the longer term, the Australian Government is assisting industry to understand the future needs that industry and government will have to work for in the coming years," he said.
Mr Nairn will also detail changes to government contracts to make it easier for developers to retain ownership of intellectual property in the systems they develop for government, presenting opportunities for software to be sold to overseas governments as exports.
AGIMO would work to improve consultation with industry on all large government projects as a way of assisting local industry, he said.
The office would work with all agencies - service delivery agencies and those that perform other roles - to ensure industry development outcomes were achieved, he said.
"We want to continue to build Australia's domestic ICT capability," he said.
The Responsive Government strategy outlines broad plans for easing skills shortages in the IT industry.
"As a significant employer and consumer in the ICT industry, it is vital that the government work to ensure it has adequate information and communications technology skills to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of projects and services," he said.
Autor: James Riley and Selina Mitchell
Quelle: Australian IT, 28.03.2006
