Tomorrow’s Open Source Software Seminar hosted by NOIE is a positive move, but it must be backed by Government leadership to ensure departments and agencies maximise the potential benefits of open source software, the Shadow Minister for Information Technology, Senator Kate Lundy said today.
“Open source software, or software with code that can be examined and utilised by third parties, can benefit Government IT purchasers in areas such as e-security, so it is good to see that NOIE is helping departments and agencies to explore this option,” Senator Lundy said.
“By giving a fair eye to open source software, Government departments would also create new opportunities for smaller local firms to compete for IT contracts – unfortunately, the Coalition’s record in this regard has so far been abysmal.
Senator Lundy added that as well as assisting the development of the local IT industry, adoption of open source software would free departments from being captured by multinational IT monoliths whose business strategy has been to lock customers in to proprietary solutions.
“Undoubtedly, there will be a great deal of pressure on Government Chief Information Officers to stick with more familiar, yet not necessarily better, proprietary software solutions,” Senator Lundy said.
“It is my sincere hope that this seminar will be the start of a new direction for Government IT purchasers in seriously considering locally produced, open source products, and not just end up as another Coalition stunt designed to shut up the growing calls for open source software in Government departments.
“I call on the Coalition to encourage Government IT decision-makers to examine local, open source software as a way of solving technology problems,” Senator Lundy concluded.
17 February 2003. Media contact: Adina Cirson – (02) 6277 3334 or the Electorate Office – 0418 488 295.
