LinuxSA Mailing list archives

  From: Alex Garner <alex@netcraft.com.au>
  To  : <linuxsa@linuxsa.org.au>
  Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 10:31:05 +1030 (CST)

Open Electronic Goverment -ECI (fwd)

I had this message forwarded to me, which some list members may be
interested in, as the ATO web site has been discussed here before.

Cheers

Alex!


Forwarded message:
> From rbs@muli.com.au  Tue Feb 27 10:01:35 2001
> Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 18:30:16 +1100
> Subject: Open Electronic Goverment -ECI
> 
> You may not be aware but the Linux comunity is developing a campain 
> to motivate the tax office to issue their 
> ECI (Electronic Commerce Interface) for the BAS returns 
> in a linux format. THIS IS A TEST CASE!
> as the start of influencing all goverment electronic comunications.
> 
> Please  distribute to all linux members.
> ...................................................................
> 
> 
> To support our position we need all possible interested parties To:
> 
> 
> Contact the ATO Business Tax Reform Infoline [ 132478]
> 
> AND ..... /Or
> 
> ESD Technical Support on 1300 139 373
> and request the 
> "ATO Electronic Commerce Interface" in Linux or Unix format.
> 
> We have to ensure the Tax Office understand  there is a
> substantial demand.
> .................................................................
> 
> 
> 
> "OPEN ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT" with Business and the people - ECI
> 
> THE GAME PLAN
>  "Open Electronic Government" With the Business and the People, seeks:
> 
> 1. 	To ensure all Government data and/or software provided 
>         via electronic format is able to be used from  common 
>         operating systems and utilities, ie:
> 
> ·	- Microsoft Windows/NT
> ·	- Unix/Linux
> ·	- MacIntosh
> ·	- Other ? 
> 
> 2. 	That software solutions will utilise true open standards,
>         without proprietary extensions. 
>         (ASCII, HTML, RTF, PDF ...  But NOT word)
> 
> 3.      The interface specification shall be an open publication.
> 
> 4. 	Where special readers, viewers or interactive solutions 
>         are required, 
>          - they will be made available to end-users 
>            at no cost premium between operating systems.
>  
> .        - they will not require the purchase of more 
>            than the simple utilities.
> 
> 5. 	All solutions provided shall NOT enable security breaches.
> 
> 6.      Total data transfered via the utility should be 
>         made know to the end user.
>  
> ...................................................................
> Discussion
> 
> THE GAME PLAN
> "To ensure all Government network interfaces are based on
> true open system standards"
> 
> We have now started the process with:
> 1   the excellent article by .
>      Rodney Gedda  rodney@linuxworld.com.au
>      http://linuxworld.com.au/news.php3?nid=472&tid=2
> 
> 
> 2.  Muli's correspondence  to  Mr. S Vesperman
>     (Asst.Commissioner Goods & Service Tax Queensland)
>     has been refired to  Mr. Mark Bond, (Director of Goods &
>     Services Tax Electronic Service Delivery)
>     for a formal response.
> 
> 3. While we believe that the ACCC will be a valuable tool in
>    bringing pressure to bear,
>    We do not yet think the time is ready to approach them. 
>    We need to have clearly defined objectives as we cannot 
>    move the goal posts once we start.
> 
> PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Contact the tax office and...
> 
>     Would all interested parties comment to myself on the
>     following so we can develop clear objectives:
> 
> A.   What open standards should be adopted by Government
>      Departments in dealing with business and general public 
>      via electronic means.
> 
> 
> B.   What format is suitable for distribution of documentation :
>         -  Plain ASCII
>         -  HTML  Vers ?
>         -  RTF
>         -  PDF
> 
> 
> -    When the GST commenced, the Manual was downloaded in PDF
>      = exact copy of printed document.
>      Now, if you want to get the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) A
>      Guide for Employers 2000,
>      the downloaded printed version 150+ pages is
>      unformatted, without page breaks, etc. very frustrating!
>       (I am using Netscape on Linux)
> 
> C.   It is of no concern that the Government does not make the
>      ECI program code available
>      what is important is that the interface specification 
>      is made available
> 
> 
> D.   I note with the ECI software a number of individuals have
>      offered their services to write the ECI however; 
>      I do not want to give any Government departments
>      in the future a OUT in that no Linux person came forward 
>      to write theinterface, so they have not provided same.
> 
> E.   From comments received, we  will develop a clear set of
>      guidelines that can be pursued with the tax office 
>      and after winning, most likely utilising the ACCC,
>      the precedent  may be applied to all Government departments.






-- 

Alex Garner <alex@netcraft.com.au>

NetCraft Australia
Phone (08) 8338 0888
http://www.netcraft.com.au

"We have achieved the best possible performance by using
the available power supply & holding the air velocity to
a level which will allow it to heat to the highest
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