NSW Liberals take progressive IT stance

NSW Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell has slammed the State Government's lack of investment in information technology that would make it easier for constituents to access government resources.

O'Farrell also called for more effective communication between departments and agencies and added integrated electronic ticketing and digital curriculum in schools to his wishlist.

The leader of the Opposition in NSW made the comments in a blog post on an obscure government relations site run by Microsoft Australia.

He was scathing of Labor's grasp of IT saying that "after 14 years in power [they] just [don't] get it."

"We have the opportunity to use IT to revolutionise how Government provides services to people," O'Farrell said.

"The bad use of IT places barriers between Government and people - making all our lives harder and not easier."

O'Farrell said that making it easier for people to interact with the NSW Government was an opportunity that could be taken with IT investments.

"I'd like to be able to leverage technology to improve service delivery, including things like an integrated transport authority that provides modern online ticketing to avoid queues; electronic record keeping... in our health system; and development of a digital curriculum for schools," he said.

"Secondly, to change the nature of the transactions so that people have a one-stop relationship with Government - rather than multiple relationships with NSW Health, RTA, Education, Office of State Revenue, and 160 departments and agencies.

"That means investing in IT to allow the Government to act as one coordinated organisation."

O'Farrell hoped in the future that a change-of-address could occur across all departments at once and that a "short-term decision" by one department would not "increase costs for another Government department."

He said a future "NSW Liberal and Nationals Government was energised to embrace technology to make it easier for people to have a one stop efficient and effective relationship with the Government - to make NSW a smarter state."

The ALP has been contacted for comment.