IT Industry To Seek Urgency For Legislation

11 March, 2002

The Information Technology Association of New Zealand (ITANZ) will be taking up with the Government the need for comprehensive e-commerce legislation this year.

The Executive Director of ITANZ, Mr Jim O’Neill, said today that legislation encompassing the legal status of e-communications and contracts plus measures against “hackers” was urgently required.

“We are aware that the Minister for Information Technology has been pushing the case for this legislation to proceed as a matter of urgency. It is essential that his colleagues in the Cabinet take heed of his requests.

“Progress on the development of both e-commerce and e-government will be unnecessarily delayed if such legislation is not passed by Parliament this year. The Prime Minister has cited ICT as one of the key areas for economic growth, along with the creative and science sectors. We believe it is reasonable to expect that the legislative timetable should reflect these priorities.

“New Zealand business and government administration is greatly reliant on ICT for the conduct of their activities. Delays in the passage of legislation will knee-cap the progress being made toward full adoption of e-business and e-government. We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister of Finance, Dr Cullen, to press the case for priority to be accorded this legislation.” -- Ends

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