[plug] [Fwd: Fwd: [Fwd: Response from ATO re ECI]]]

Tue Nov 28 16:16:33 WST 2006

FYI,

Some of you who have businesses may be interesting in joining the
groundswell here.

Taken from another LUG list I belong to.

-------- Forwarded Message --------
> From: Janet Hawtin <lucychili at gmail.com>
> To: Linux SA <linuxsa at linuxsa.org.au>
> Cc: andrewlgreig at netscape.net
> Subject: Fwd: [Fwd: Response from ATO re ECI]]
> Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:09:47 +1030
> 
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> From: andrewlgreig at netscape.net
> To: luv-main at luv.asn.au
> Subject: Response from ATO re ECI
> Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 01:06:44 +1100
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> I am still hounding the Australian Tax Office for the ECI client for
> Linux.  I have a copy of it which was pretty damn good, I would not have
> thought it to be Beta.  At any rate the response from the ATO is
> forwarded below.  I would like to see a substantial (read overwhelming)
> response to Mark Slater so that he may have a better case for the
> release of the ECI for Linux.  For those who are unaware, the Electronic
> Commerce Interface is a Java program to facilitate the preparation of
> and transmission of the Business Activity Statement (BAS) to the ATO.
> It is currently available for download in versions for Windoze and
> Mac.
> 
> Is there a list of Australian LUGs anywhere.  I would like to elicit a
> national tidal wave to the ATO, indicating that their interest is
> overdue.  Some remarks about security and stability being valid reasons
> for Business to adopt Linux could be included.  If you want to take the
> moral high ground and ask why the ATO would support the business of a
> convicted "abusive monopolist",  be my guest.
> 
> Do you think we might be able to achieve a few thousand messages to Mr
> Slater?
> 
> Andrew Greig
> Community Distributor, OpenOffice.org
> 
> 
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> From: Slater, Mark <Mark.Slater at ato.gov.au>
> To: algreig at bigpond.net.au
> Subject: FW: Attention: Brad Wu, re ECI for Linux
> Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 15:14:29 +1100
> 
> Dear Andrew,
> 
> The Linux version of ECI that was developed in November 2006 was a basic
> beta version for evaluation purposes only.  Although this version passed
> some rudimentary tests, it still remains in beta.
> 
> Since then the demand for a Linux version of the ECI has remained very
> low.  In November 2003 the ATO had just over 100 businesses registered
> as having an interest in using a Linux or Unix version of the ECI if it
> were to be made available.  As of today this figure has not increased.
> 
> In light of such a small user population, the ATO has to very
> carefully in considering the costs associated with not only developing a
> fully functional Linux version of the ECI, but also the costs involved
> in maintaining, updating and providing user support for a such a
> version.  This becomes even more circumspect when currently the vast
> majority of the ATO's IT resources need to be channelled into its well
> publicised Change Program.
> 
> Notwithstanding this, the ATO remains committed to providing online
> services to the business community.  With this in mind we are again
> taking the opportunity to resubmit our proposal to develop a Linux
> version of ECI for consideration by the ATO executive.
> 
> It is anticipate that a decision on this proposal will be reached by
> late February, at which time I will advise you of the outcome.
> 
> 
> Yours sincerely
> Mark Slater
> Director - Electronic Channel Management
> Integrated Channel Delivery
> Production and Change Management, Client Account Services
> Australian Taxation Office
> Albury  NSW
> 
> Phone:  02 605 87598
> Fax:       02 605 87512
> Mobile:  0408 969 011
> Web:     http://www.ato.gov.au
> 
> ________________________________________________________________________
> From: Andrew Greig [mailto:algreig at bigpond.net.au]
> Sent: Wednesday, 1 November 2006 11:41
> To: TRPESD
> Subject: Attention: Brad Woo, re ECI for Linux
> 
> Hi Brad,
> Sam has passed your details on to me. I am inquiring about the ECI for
> Linux.  It is 14 months now since the file was pulled from the server,
> so I expect that the reason given at the time for its removal, has had
> sufficient time for completion.  I am eager to pass on to the broader
> business community the date for its return to the download site.
> 
> You may have been made aware of my involvement in the flurry of activity
> that accompanied the exciting news that the ATO had finally taken a few
> hours out of their busy schedule to rejig the Java for a Linux Port to
> be possible.  It surprised everyone on the lists that within a few hours
> of my notification that it was available - it was suddenly removed.
> 
> There was also a system for making the CSI work under Linux.  Combined
> with the excellent work on the ECI for Linux, it looked at last as if we
> were going to be able to deal with the ATO at the highest level of
> security.
> 
> Could you please tell me when we can expect this valuable tool for
> business to be put back up again?
> 
> BTW It was very clever to install the java in the same directory as the
> ECI, as then it could be easily Distro agnostic.  I found that all of
> the features that were present in the Windows version, worked as
> expected in the Linux version.  I was surprised that it needed "further
> testing".
> 
> Yours faithfully
> 
> Andrew Greig
> Community Distributor
> OpenOffice.org
> Melbourne, Australia
> 
> ****************************************************************
> 
> IMPORTANT
> 
> The information transmitted is for the use of the intended recipient
> only and may contain confidential and/or legally privileged material.
> Any review, re-transmission, disclosure dissemination or other use of,
> or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or
> entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result
> in severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error please
> notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation Office, telephone
> 13 28 69 and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
> attachments.
> 
> ****************************************************************
> 
> Andrew Greig
> Community Distributor, OpenOffice.org
> Melbourne, Australia
> 
> Andrew Greig
> Community Distributor, OpenOffice.org
> Melbourne, Australia
-- 
Richard Meyer <meyerri at westnet.com.au>
There are II types of people - those who can count like Romans and
those who can't.

Linux Counter user #306629