Governance and Funding - Home

Governance

E-government represents a new way of doing business in the public sector. As agencies become part of a more integrated style of public sector there will be challenges for public sector governance.

The e-government challenge is to assist with the successful management of the change of style. To be effective, e-government needs decision-making processes that support more integrated strategies and business processes. It will still depend, however, on important features of public sector governance - particularly responsibility and accountability, transparency, strategic alignment, and prudent financial and operational management.

Part of the challenge arises from the cross-government focus of the e-government programme. Governance arrangements vary significnatly between the Public Service, the wider State sector and local government. However, all agencies are or will be working together to create e-government. Another challenge arises from the need to provide opportunities for greater public participation in government, including a voice in the e-government development process.

Governance of Shared Activities is a State Services Commission paper setting out an approach to aid agencies in deciding how to govern shared activities.

Funding

Central government already spends significant funds on information technology.  There is a strong commitment to achieving the best possible return on this investment. Local government faces the same imperative. At both levels of government, the e-government strategy offers ways to achieve good value for money through greater collaboration in the development and use of these investments.

The ICT Branch work programme on funding is addressing:

• How to assess fiscal, economic and social benefits
• Measurement and apportioning of fiscal costs and benefits
• How to deal with infrastructure activities

Guidelines for Preparing E-government Business Cases

These guidelines provide assistance in the preparation and presentation of a quality business case for an e-government initiative.

The guidelines are a work-in-progress. We welcome your feedback on the draft guidelines – if you would like to comment, please respond by email.