[plug] The Australian Business Registry

[bob]

On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 08:59 am, Ben Jensz wrote:
> No, thats not what needs to happen.  What needs to happen is that the
> tender that is put out MUST dictate clearly that all development of
> portals MUST conform to the appropriate standards (i.e. HTML, CSS etc)
> for proper compatibility.  If a portal that is created for a government
> department doesn't conform, they have to go back and try again until it
> is.  No extra monies will be paid for this.

I think you will find that there is already a requirement for government 
departments to "provide equal access free from unreasonable barriers".

The legislation in question: DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1992
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/dda1992264/index.html#s1

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's "World Wide Web Access: 
Disability Discrimination Act Advisory Notes"
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/standards/www_3/www_3.html
Is pretty explicit as to the requirements.

Vis:
"Commonwealth Government departments and agencies, and other organisations 	
where they are involved in administration of Commonwealth laws and 
programs, do not have the benefit of an explicit unjustifiable hardship 
defence under the DDA. These organisations are required to provide equal 
access free from unreasonable barriers."

IANAL but I would guess that the ATO is in breach of the act.

-- 
When the bosses talk about improving productivity, they are never talking
about themselves.