Digital Strategy positive, but Open Source & e-waste missing

The Government's Digital Strategy, released today, is a positive development, but the lack of acknowledgement of Open Source and 'e-waste' issues is disappointing, says Green Party IT Spokesperson Nandor Tanczos.

"The Greens are very pleased that a new secretariat to coordinate, assess and advise on IT issues is to be established, we've been supporting this approach for sometime," said Nandor.

"We are also very pleased to see the Community Partnerships Fund. This will offer real opportunities for communities to develop and begin to implement their own digital strategies. We support the Strategy's general vision of increased access to both technology and information.

"But there are a couple of glaring omissions. Firstly, the potential role of Open Source software is not mentioned at all, which, given the increasing size of that sector, the potential for New Zealand businesses to get into the action and the fact that DHBs are investigating a move to Open Source operating systems, is both surprising and disappointing.

"How New Zealand is going to tackle 'e-waste' is also missing. Hardware recycling has the potential to improve access to technology and enhance capability, so we would like to see some specific resources tagged to that end. This would benefit both the community, by providing access to low-cost gear, and the environment, by preventing heavy metals and plastics landing up in our landfills or poisoning people in other countries with laxer rules" said Nandor.

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