Government releases e-commerce strategy

CHRIS BARTON sifts the key clauses from the Government's internet strategy document.

"New Zealand will be world-class in embracing e-commerce for competitive advantage."

That is the broad vision behind the Government's e-commerce strategy, released today by the Minister for Information Technology, Paul Swain.

The 16-page document, E-commerce: Building the Strategy for New Zealand, outlines the Government's role in developing e-commerce through communication, research and leading by example.

It also says the Government will provide "an enabling regulatory environment through timely legislative responses, development and protection of infrastructure and promotion of New Zealand's interests internationally."

But behind the rhetoric and admirable goals are some specifics and deadlines:

By November 30 - a secure inter-agency e-mail pilot between the Treasury, the State Services Commission and the Department of the Prime Minister and the cabinet. The system will be rapidly scaled up to accommodate other agencies once proven in operation.

By December - a small establishment group comprising Government officials and members of the private sector will report to the Government on the membership and terms of reference of an E-Commerce Action Team responsible for implementing the strategy.

By December 11 - initial advice provided to ministers on a National Infrastructure Protection Strategy in partnership with the private sector to enhance the security of essential networks from attack by hackers, criminals, and cyber-terrorists. "Protection" in this sense is likely to mean allowing Governments to "wire tap" information passing along the internet and raises concerns about rights of privacy and the cost of doing business on the internet.

February 28, 2001 - heads of the three central agencies will sign an infrastructure policy putting in place the minimum necessary elements for secure inter-agency email which may be adopted for private sector purposes.

From March 2001 - the heads of the E-Commerce Action Team will be operative. The team will be drawn from central and local government, business, the education sector, Maori, and community organisations. It will have a private-sector chair and a secretariat located in the Ministry of Economic Development. It will report every six months on progress.

By June 30, 2001 - 40 per cent of all public service forms will be available on-line with information and on-line payments systems.

A Government strategy for use of e-billing will be in place.

A final Government public key infrastructure policy will be published.

The Electronic Transactions Bill will be passed to support an equivalent legal environment for both electronic transactions and paper-based transactions.

The Crimes Amendment Bill No 6 will be passed to deal with cyber crime.

The Privacy Act 1993 will be amended to ensure that privacy laws are regarded as adequate in terms of the European Union Directive on Data Protection.

The Evidence Code will have been developed to define how electronic communications can be used in evidence.

Other legislation, including intellectual property, will have been reviewed to ensure that there are no significant impediments to e-commerce.

The Ministry of Economic Development will report to ministers on the implications of international copyright treaties and the internet.

Herald Online feature: e-commerce summit

Official e-commerce summit website