Information technology (IT) has not been spared in the shift towards larger portfolios under each Minister.
John Della Bosca is now Minister for Commerce, taking responsibility for IT, Public Works and Services, Fair Trading and Industrial Relations.
His other responsibilities include those as Special Minister of State, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for the Central Coast, and Assistant Treasurer.
IT policy functions previously under the Department of IT and Management (DITM) will be folded into the Department of Commerce.
However, Della Bosca denies the lack of a dedicated IT portfolio is a downgrade of the area.
"The placement of the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and other eGovernment initiatives within the Department of Commerce," he responds, "will escalate the role of IT in the economy, the community and in the improvement of the delivery of government services."
"IT serves the whole NSW economy and by placing IT within the Department of Commerce will also create opportunities to develop further strong partnerships with industry," he adds.
The OIT will now become an office within the Department of Commerce.
Della Bosca says, "this is expected to provide stronger linkages and synergies to a wide range of eGovernment initiatives. The role of the OIT will grow as it plays a pivotal role in coordinating whole of government Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives and continues to develop the government's ICT policy."
His vision for information technology spans a range of issues. However, these are largely broad philosophies rather than a strategic plan of action.
Top of the list is "to maximise the use of ICT as an enabler for the growth of the NSW economy and as an essential tool in improving service delivery by government. This will be achieved through a collaborative approach with the industry and government."
He also points to the development of "new relationships and partnerships with business and the community."
Central to the government's approach is a "focus on people and their needs," he says. "It is about creating a more responsive, mission-driven government with a public service that functions as a team focused on outcomes rather than inputs."
Electronic delivery of services and information also makes the list.
Della Bosca says, "with eGovernment the debate is not about whether we need more government or less government, but rather that we need better government. The electronic delivery of services and information has made it possible for governments to operate in a far more efficient and effective manner."
He adds, "new technologies such as the Internet have enabled governments to rethink how they function."
"People increasingly expect to deal with government as a single cohesive entity and for services to be delivered in an integrated and seamless manner," Della Bosca believes. "Individuals should be able to get information and complete transactions without worrying whether it involves different agencies or layers of government."
That also includes greater consumer control over how they interact with government. As one example, he points to consumers wanting to access their medical records.
He adds that ICT can create greater efficiencies by minimising routine administrative tasks to activities directly serving the public.
Della Bosca follows in the footsteps of Kim Yeadon, a Minister considered by many to be quite innovative.
Last year, he called for expressions of interest for the running of local loops to attach up to 5000 government sites to broadband connections running off state-owned fibre.
The central aim of the Telecommunications Strategy was to identify the thousands of kilometres of unused fibre-optic capacity already owned by government authorities. That would then be offered to private companies.
Della Bosca says, "the evaluation of those expressions of interests are currently underway and we will be making our assessment of this initiative when the assessment is completed."
The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), the nation's peak ICT advocacy body, has welcomed the "re-elected Carr Government's continued recognition of the importance of the NSW ICT industry and the benefits that the industry brings to the NSW economy."
Prior to the election, they surveyed the key ICT policies of all major parties.
"The Labor Party provided a comprehensive submission covering use of ICT to deliver better Government, skills, industry development, and the digital divide," Rob Durie, AIIA executive director, explains.
Their "policy could best be described as steady as she goes", he adds, "with a commitment to continue several government programs. The only new initiative offered is to release an ICT Industry Development Strategy. While this is a laudable policy, AIIA would have preferred that this strategy be released prior to the election."
For Della Bosca, he denies having such a wide range of portfolios will make it difficult to dedicate time to IT.
"IT this is one of my priorities and I'm looking forward to working with all IT stakeholders," he responds. "NSW is the premier state and I am committed to seeing our state lead the way on eGovernment."
Quelle: australia.internet.com
