[plug] Fw: Re: Question for Geoff Gallup on Paul Murray's Radio Show.

[Garry]

I sent a question to Paul Murray and to the Premier (for reference the Premier regularly appears on 6PR) regarding OSS, and this is the reply I have received.

Marginally positive I guess...

8^|==

Garry



Begin forwarded message:

Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 16:27:02 +0800
From: WA-Government <WA-Government at dpc.wa.gov.au>
To: <garbuck at westnet.com.au>
Subject: Re: Question for Geoff Gallup on Paul Murray's Radio Show.


Dear Mr Buckle

Thank you for your email, and question to the Premier, regarding open source software.

The Government has recently established the Office of E-Government within the Department of Premier and Cabinet to address a range of issues, including the one you have raised.

The role of the Office of E-Government is to oversee the strategic transformation of the operations of Government using technology as a tool to improve internal efficiency, service delivery to citizens, and community participation.

The Government recognises the potential to make significant savings through the use of open source software, which does not attract licence charges. To this end the Office of E-Government has been monitoring developments with respect to open source software initiatives globally and particularly within Australia with the aim of developing a whole of Government position in this area.

In the mean time, some public sector agencies have started to use open source software. One example is the Department of Premier and Cabinet which is using LINUX as part of its IT infrastructure.

Regards
WA Govt
 

>>> Garry <garbuck at westnet.com.au> 8/05/03 15:59:46 >>>

Hi Paul,

With the budget for Western Australia feeling the pinch, and dollars being something to be valued, I wonder why our Government is not pursuing Open Source software to reduce the hardware and software costs in Government.

A SA Democrat (Ian Gilfillan) has introduced a Bill into the South Australian Government, making it a requirement that Open Source software be used wherever possible. Below is a link detailing the story.

http://www.computerworld.com.au/nindex.php?taxid=620938001&id=9668449 


Open Source software has been adopted by Telstra, probably the biggest single licenced software user in Australia! 

My question is for the Premier is: Why has the WA Labor Government not pursued Open Source software?

If you don't know much about Open Source software, please feel free to contact the Perth Linux User Group for demonstrations. Asking Windows IT specialists about Open Source software might be a silly thing to do. 

I use Linux exclusively. I pay zero dollars to Microsoft for proprietry licences. Given that Windows demands faster and faster hardware with each version, is famously insecure, and is damn expensive, I just can't believe that Open Source software is not mandated in Government!

Regards

Garry.
Medina

===================
Garry Buckle
President - Computer Angels
www.ca.asn.au