M1998-14 Year 2000 Millenium Strategy – Implementation of Phase Two

Following a recommendation from the Cabinet Sub Committee on Information Technology, Cabinet met on 18 May 1998 and endorsed Phase Two of the NSW Government's Year 2000 Millennium Strategy. This Phase raises the level of accountability of all Agencies, State Owned Corporations and Government Trading Enterprises and requires the implementation of more vigorous measures and actions to address the Year 2000 problem.

The people and businesses of New South Wales expect reliable service from Government and require confidence that critical government functions and services will not be interrupted as a result of the Year 2000 problem. Major users of Government services in the private sector have requested the NSW Government and its Agencies to demonstrate that the problem is being addressed, and to guarantee that basic infrastructure such as power, water, transport and health services, which are critical to the community and the continued operation of all levels of business and Government, are Year 2000 ready and compliant.

The Government in recognising the potential severity of the Year 2000 problem has already introduced a number of initiatives to ensure agencies are protected as far as possible and to mitigate the effects of the problem across government.

These include an information and awareness campaign across the public sector, the production and dissemination of a Year 2000 Business Risk Analysis Methodology and the preparation of period panel contracts - ITS2060 (Year 2000 business risk analyst), ITS2061 (Year 2000 remedial service providers) and the soon to be added ITS2062 (Year 2000 tools and software).

Although a number of agencies are proceeding to identify the extent of their Year 2000 exposure, and have taken steps to rectify areas of risk, a recent survey by the Office of Information Technology of the current status of agency Year 2000 programs showed that many agencies are still not fully addressing the issue.

The risk of failing to address the Year 2000 problem affects every portfolio. Cabinet has endorsed the need for uniform action to be taken by all Agencies, Statutory Authorities, State Owned Corporations and Government Trading Enterprises to ensure that the Year 2000 problem attracts the highest priority across Government. Specific measures endorsed by Cabinet include:

• Phase Two of the Year 2000 Millennium Strategy will apply to all general government Agencies, State Owned Corporations and Government Trading Enterprises; and
• The establishment of a Year 2000 Task Force to ensure whole of government management of the Year 2000 problem. The Task Force is chaired by the Director-General, Premier's Department and includes the Director, Office of Information Technology and the Chief Executive Officers of the Department of Fair Trading, Department of State and Regional Development, Department of Public Works and Services, NSW Treasury, Attorney General's Department, Sydney Water and Integral Energy.
• The Task Force will work with the Government Information Management Board to provide direction and guidance on the implementation of the Government's Year 2000 Millennium Strategy, and provide advice and recommendations to Cabinet, as required. The Task Force will focus primarily on key cross sector issues while the Board will focus on agency compliance with mandated timetables and exception reporting.

YEAR 2000 MILLENNIUM STRATEGY - PHASE TWO IMPLEMENTATION

Statutory Authorities, State Owned Corporations and Government Trading Enterprises

1. The Treasurer will require all Statutory Authorities, State Owned Corporations and Government Trading Enterprises (particularly power, water and essential services) to comply with the Government's Year 2000 Millennium Strategy as a minimum, and ensure the Year 2000 problem is given the highest priority attention.

Action to be taken all Government Agencies, Statutory Authorities, State Owned Corporations and Government Trading Enterprises

Complete a Year 2000 risk assessment report, including a rectification plan and high level cost estimates, in accordance with the NSW Government's Business Risk Analysis Methodology or approved methodology. Each agency is to forward a copy of the Risk Assessment Report to the Office of Information Technology by 30 June 1998 for assessment of comprehensiveness, and for follow-up action where the risk assessment report is considered to be inadequate.