Tuesday 10 July 2007

Australian Government, state and territory Ministers and the Australian Local Government Association met in Sydney on Friday 29 June 2007 for the 14th meeting of the Online and Communications Council. The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, and the Special Minister of State, the Hon Gary Nairn MP chaired the meeting. The New South Wales Minister for Roads and Minister for Commerce, the Hon Eric Roozendaal, was host of the meeting. Governments were represented by:

Australian Government	Senator the Hon Helen Coonan (Chair) Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
	The Hon Gary Nairn MP Special Minister of State (Chair of e-Government items)
New South Wales	The Hon Eric Roozendaal (Host) Minister for Roads; Minister for Commerce
Victoria	The Hon Tim Holding MP Minister for Finance, WorkCover, and the Transport Accident Commission; Minister for Tourism; Minister for Information and Communication Technology
Queensland	The Hon Robert Schwarten MP Minister for Public Works, Housing, and Information and Communications Technology
Western Australia	The Hon Francis Logan MLA Minister for Energy; Resources; Industry and Enterprise Ms Jaye Radisich MLA Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Energy; Resources; Industry and Enterprise
South Australia	The Hon Paul Caica MP Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education; Minister for Science and Information Economy; Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling
Tasmania	The Hon Michael Aird MLC Treasurer and Minister for Racing
Australian Capital Territory	Mr Jon Stanhope MLA Chief Minister
Northern Territory	Mr Les Hodgson, A/g Chief Executive, Department of Corporate and Information Services
Australian Local Government Association	Councillor Paul Braybrooks,Mayor of the Shire of Cootamundra, and Chair of the Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC)

Australia Connected

Council considered the Australian Government's Australia Connected funding and legislative initiative, released on 18 June 2007. As a result of discussions, the Australian Government and state, territory and local governments agreed to a resolution that there will be consultation as Australia Connected is implemented, including the establishment of a joint Implementation Group in relation to the OPEL network. The consultations will aim to ensure that, as far as possible, the rollout of Commonwealth, state and territory initiatives are carried out in a complementary manner.

Council noted that the Expert Taskforce appointed to oversee the assessment process for a new high speed broadband network in capital cities and major regional areas will undertake public consultation on draft guidelines, including with state, territory and local governments at the national level, prior to their finalisation.

Members also noted progress in implementing Connect Australia programs including Clever Networks, Backing Indigenous Ability and Mobile Connect.

Broadband Blueprint

Council noted progress in implementing the Australian Government's Broadband Blueprint (released in December 2006) and the establishment of the National Broadband Development Group (NBDG), an Online and Communications Council working group with strategic coordination responsibilities in relation to the Blueprint. Council approved the NBDG's Terms of Reference and initial Work Plan and referred a proposal to develop a national broadband-relevant infrastructure audit and mapping exercise to the NBDG.

Internet Filtering in Libraries

Council reviewed progress in protecting children from illegal and offensive content on the Internet and in particular the Protecting Australian Families Online initiative.

Council considered how jurisdictions can work together to encourage authorities, including libraries, to maintain and enhance systems that support children in the responsible use of Internet access in public facilities, including consideration of suitable PC-based filters and/or technological applications.

Council agreed to monitor developments through the ICT Capability and Information Economy Working Group, which also includes representation from the Australian Local Government Association. Regular reports will be provided to the OCC on Internet filtering measures being taken to protect children online.

Building Australia's Information and Communications Technology Capability

Members reiterated their view that, through its contribution to innovation and productivity, a strong and internationally competitive ICT capability will continue to underpin Australia's current and future economic and social wellbeing. Council reconfirmed its commitment to coordinate and collaborate on priority issues such as ICT skills, where a national approach is needed.

Council noted good progress has been made in relation to building Australia's ICT Capability and agreed to support the Victorian Government's ICT: Start Here. Go Anywhere' national branding to promote ICT careers and courses.

The Australian Government agreed to investigate joint funding of ICT careers awareness programs with the states and industry. Council agreed that there should be a further National ICT Skills Forum and recommended that it be industry led. It noted concerns about the declining enrolment in tertiary ICT courses and referred this matter to the Council's ICT Capability in the Information Economy Working Group.

Council also noted that the wide-spread adoption of the new national brand, "Imagine a Brighter Future: Australia", for international trade events by government and industry associations will help to raise awareness of Australia's ICT capabilities and will bring ICT trade and investment promotion in line with the globally recognised images currently used by the tourism industry.

Connected Government

New technology is transforming government service delivery. The three tiers of government are seeking to maximise innovation in technology to make government services to citizens smarter, more accessible and convenient.

At its meeting, Council agreed to endorse Part (a): Overview and Principles of the National Smartcard Framework and the completion of the Framework noting the need for further work on remaining parts to ensure interoperability and alignment to ISO standards as they are being finalised. Council also agreed to the development of the existing Australian Government e-Authentication Framework (AGAF) into a National e-Authentication Framework to improve the consistency of approaches taken by governments to delivering services online. In addition, Council endorsed the revised gov.au Domain Name Governance Policies to take effect on 1 September 2007. The Policies reflect the next phase of enhancements to the application of domain names across jurisdictions.

Spatially Enabled Government

Geospatial data can powerfully enhance the way governments provide services to citizens. The importance of maps and the where factor' is integral to providing the right services to citizens in the right way. Council agreed to the development of a National Information Sharing Strategy and options for implementing the strategy.

The Strategy will provide the processes and tools to enable jurisdictions to share information whilst preserving their legislative obligations and safeguarding the privacy of citizens. Council also noted progress toward development of a National Address Management Framework which will provide a single authoritative address data set and agreed to endorse the Framework out-of-session when completed.

Key resolutions

A list of key resolutions agreed to at the meeting is outlined at Attachment A.

Next Meeting

Ministers agreed that they would next meet in Melbourne in 2008.

Media contacts:

Sandy Swanton, Council Secretariat, 0447 239 207

29 June 2007

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Attachment A

Key resolutions agreed to at the meeting

Australia Connected

Consistent with a commitment to commence providing services to consumers from September 2007, the Australian Government and states, territories and local government agreed that:

• in order for the implementation of the OPEL network to align with related state and territory initiatives, a joint Implementation Group would be established;
• the Commonwealth will consult with state, territory and local government prior to finalisation of the Deed with OPEL including on
• service coverage
• technical verification issues
• wholesale access terms and conditions
• operation separation strategy
• performance testing regime
• regional consultation strategy and
• Australian Broadband Guarantee provider strategy; and
• this Group will ensure, as far as possible, that the rollout of Commonwealth, state and territory initiatives are carried out in a complementary manner within each jurisdiction.

OCC Ministers also noted:

• that the Expert Taskforce appointed to oversee the assessment process for a new high speed broadband network in capital cities and major regional areas will undertake public consultation on draft guidelines, including with state, territory and local governments at the national level, prior to their finalisation.

Broadband Blueprint

Council

• agreed to the National Broadband Development Group's Terms of Reference, and its initial Work Plan
• supported a proposal put forward by the Western Australian Government to develop a national broadband-relevant infrastructure audit and mapping exercise

Internet Filtering in Libraries

Council

• considered how jurisdictions can work together to encourage authorities, including libraries, to maintain and enhance systems that support children in the responsible use of Internet access in public facilities, including consideration of suitable PC-based filters and/or other technological applications.
• agreed to keep this matter under on-going review, as technology evolves.
• noted there are a range of practical issues associated with addressing Internet filtering in libraries
• agreed that in the short-term, Officials will discuss a way forward out-of-session with work to be taken forward through the OCC's ICT Capability in the Information Economy Working Group.

Building Australia's ICT Capability

Council:

• agreed to support Victoria 's ICT: Start Here. Go Anywhere. national branding to promote ICT careers and courses.
• agreed that there should be another National ICT Skills Forum and recommended that it be industry led
• noted concerns about the declining enrolment in tertiary ICT courses and referred this matter to the ICT Capability in the Information Economy Working Group.
• agreed to extend the term of the ICT Capability in the Information Economy Working Group to the 2009 OCC meeting.

Connected Government

Council:

• agreed to endorse Part (a): Overview and Principles of the National Smartcard Framework and the completion of the Framework noting the need for further work on remaining parts to ensure interoperability and alignment to ISO standards as they are being finalised.
• agreed to the development of the existing Australian Government
  e-Authentication Framework (AGAF) into a National e-Authentication Framework and to endorse the Framework out of session when completed.
• endorsed the revised gov.au Domain Name Governance Policies to take effect on 1 September 2007.

Spatially Enabled Government

Council:

• noted progress toward development of a National Address Management Framework and agreed to endorse the Framework out of session when completed.
• agreed to the development of a National Information Sharing Strategy, and options for implementing the strategy.

Other Business

Council:

• agreed to work together to consider the issue of ICT capacity and the non-profit sector, including providing the OCC with details of members' activities in developing ICT capacity in the sector;
• agreed to invite the members of the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) to meet with the OCC's relevant working groups; and
• agreed that the next meeting will be held in Melbourne on a date to be determined.