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Open Source Bill For Australian Capital Territory

Posted by timothy on from the seat-of-power dept.

leinad writes "An article in The Age newspaper claims the Australian Capital Territory is set to become the first jurisdiction in the country to adopt a bill which says that public bodies should, as far as practicable, consider the use of open source software when procuring computer software. (The Australian Capital Territory is the small territory/state of Australia in which Canberra, the capital of Australia, is located.)" Seems like requiring blueprints from contractors, to me.

8 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. Territory vs State by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
    The Australian Capital Territory is the small territory/state of Australia in which Canberra, the capital of Australia, is located.

    It is a territory. It is not a state. There is a difference.

  2. In case that doesn't make sense... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    The Australian Capital Territory is the small territory/state of Australia in which Canberra, the capital of Australia, is located.

    Just like the Washington/Washington D.C. concept.

  3. Not the last of the legislation either by Norman+at+Davis · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to The Australian, this is "part of a coordinated national approach by the Democrats, which has seen similar legislation introduced in South Australia and federally and under consideration in [New South Wales] (whose capitol is Sydney) - calls for government to "consider" the purchase of open source software in procurement plans." The article also mentions that "the original version of the bill would have required the ACT to 'prefer open source software' but that was of course neutered. Appearently in the last six months alone the ACT has spent $15 million Australian ($11 mil US) (Converter) on Microsoft software and support for the next three years.

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    Just another two cents from the Norm.
  4. The bill has been passed by dilby · · Score: 4, Informative

    According to the Sydney Morning Herald

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    This post patent pending.
  5. Re:The ACT! I'm sure and Australian will.... by child_of_mercy · · Score: 4, Informative

    1) there are six state government
    2) While a small province Tasmania is not that much larger (in population)
    3) It's a fully fledged parliament, not a local council, so it's an Act that has been made, not a council ordinance or Regulation.
    4) The Federal Government is administered in Canberra. The same contractors who supply services that meet the requirements of this Act will be biddding for federal work.
    5) this is the beginniug not the end.

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    'There is a Light that never goes out.'
  6. The bill has been passed. by NicksMyName · · Score: 3, Informative

    According to Computer World the bill was approved today.

  7. The legislation and more info by xixax · · Score: 4, Informative
    The Bill in question is available on the ACT government's web site and (as passed) on the member's website. Don't get too excited, it uses the weasel-word "practicable" and the conservatives had it ammended to have a 3 year life. OTOH, it could be a great mandate.

    The ACT is a administrative territory for the national capital, and we also had an OSS electronic voting system at our last election that is based on Linux

    Xix.

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    "Everything is adjustable, provided you have the right tools"
  8. Re:wel... by Cosmik · · Score: 4, Informative

    The bill was passed today. When the Hansard page is updated, you'll be able to find out who supported it. Out of the 17 members of the Legislative Assembly, only 1 is a Democrat (1 Dem, 1 Green, 1 Independant, 6 Libs, 8 Labor). So, if the Dems, Greens and Ind sided with the Liberals, the Dem would prove efficient, but otherwise - not much use in blocking or ensuring bill go through, really. But in this case, I'm proved wrong, so thumbs up.