NSW Government talks up IT progress

The NSW Government has defended its track record on technology investments that streamline public access to Government resources after a scathing summation by the Opposition this week.

A spokesman for Commerce Minister John Robertson told iTnews that investments in the nsw.gov.au portal and the Apps4NSW competition showed the Government was "committed to providing information and access to services for the people of NSW using the most cutting edge technology available."

Nsw.gov.au incorporated Google technology to enable the public to search across "more than 1600 NSW Government services from school enrolments to lodging a tender for a multi-million dollar project".

"Information portals like this one make it easier for the public to engage with Government online - with the website acting as a one-stop-shop for information and services," the spokesman said.

"In NSW, you can do all sorts of things online, from booking a driving test with the RTA, to planning your day out on public transport or registering details of a crime with NSW Police."

The Government had plans to push accessibility further. The Apps4NSW competition encouraged individuals and groups "to submit their own digital applications for the delivery of public information and services", the spokesman said.

The spokesman also said that "over 30 million visitors" accessed services and information from NSW Government websites every year.

The comments came several days after the state Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell criticised the Government's use of IT for service provision.

O'Farrell promised 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."