Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

State public sector well advanced on Y2K

The Minister for Finance Roger Hallam has said that State Government agencies are almost fully prepared for the possible effects of the Millennium Bug, with the average completion of Y2K-readiness activities now at 96.99%.

Since they were first released earlier this year, the Victorian Government’s monthly Y2K readiness reports have reflected a consistent improvement in preparedness levels.

The monthly report tracks the progress of State Government departments, agencies, statutory authorities, and local government as well as private electricity and gas companies.

Mr Hallam said the latest data showed that average Y2K readiness had increased by 2.84% since the May report. There was also significant improvement in contingency planning since May: up 11.59% to an average completion of 89.32%.

Mr Hallam said that Education and Victoria Police had made significant improvements overall since the May report. Education had increased to 97.56% Y2K ready and Police to 98.46%.

Agencies that are now Y2K ready include: Gaming; Housing; Industry, Science and Technology; Multicultural Affairs; Rural Development; Small Business; and Tourism.

The latest report is based on a "snap shot" of progress taken by the Government on 14 June 1999, and is the final update using data compiled before the self-imposed 30 June 1999 deadline.

Results relating to 30 June 1999 are currently being compiled and will be released in a few weeks’ time.

"Those agencies that do not complete their preparations by the deadline, for whatever reason, will remain under Cabinet scrutiny until they have been certified as Y2K ready," Mr Hallam said.

A copy of the report is available on the Internet.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Finance, July 9, 1999)