Your e-govt 'one-stop shop'

By MICHAEL FOREMAN

The internet will be the dominant means of accessing all Government information, services and processes by 2004, according to an e-government strategy timetable released yesterday.

By that time, all New Zealanders will be able to pay their taxes, rates and bills, or register new companies as well as births, marriages and deaths via a single "portal" website or by visiting a "one-stop shop."

State Services Minister Trevor Mallard said the majority of public sector purchasing would also be conducted online within two to three years.

"We are not quite saying that all Government purchasing will be done online - there are some areas that are just too specialised.

"However, I would expect procurement in all significant areas to be handled electronically by about 2003 to 2004."

Mr Mallard expected two or three Government electronic procurement portals would be created but would be operated using existing software.

A pilot project would be announced in June, which would be extended across all Government departments by January.

"The final system should be close to a year away," he said.

Mr Mallard said that businesses would benefit from e-government through lower compliance costs.

"The impression I am getting is that more and more businesses are participating in electronic commerce and are becoming web-enabled. This will make their lives easier."

Mr Mallard said some examples of e-government were already in operation.

Customs clearances that used to take 10 days by mail could now be done within hours or instantaneously on the web.

"We are seeing the standard being lifted and, as a result of that compliance, costs will drop away."

Mr Mallard described the timetable for e-government implementation over the next 14 months, as "challenging but realistic."

He said a strategy for e-government one-stop shops, which people would be able to visit in person, or access over the internet at home or via a public terminal, would be in place by June next year.

The number and location of these outlets had yet to be decided.



Mr Mallard was unable to say how much e-government would cost.

"So far we've earmarked $16 million for the project over four years.

" There's probably going to be some capital cost around the portal, but after that a lot of the cost is already built into the working budgets of the agencies involved."



Prime Minister Helen Clark said the strategy compared favourably with similar moves that were being made by leading nations around the world.

"We are confident that the New Zealand strategy is as forward-looking, comprehensive, and sensible as that of any other country," she said.

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