Government develops IT supplier engagement principles

The Federal Government today unveiled a set of principles intended to govern the way it engages with IT and communications suppliers.

The principles, developed in conjunction with the Australian Information Industry Association and the Australian Industry Group, were created to address a Gershon review recommendation for client and supplier codes of conduct.

Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner launched the principles in a brief recorded address to the CeBIT conference in Sydney today.

"The principles of accessibility, governance, problem resolution, collaboration and application represent five key areas for us to strengthen the way in which Government and the ICT industry work together," he said.

The Government said that while adoption of the principles was encouraged, "the principles are not a precondition for suppliers seeking Australian Government business."

"Suppliers interested in becoming a signatory to these principles can register their business’ details by completing a registration form," the Government said.

"The purpose of the registration is for companies to declare their intention to promote and support the principles."

In other news, Tanner also said the Government expected to make a formal statement of its commitment to openness "in the next few weeks" after accepting "virtually all of the recommendations" made by the Gov 2.0 taskforce.