Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

The millennium bug - getting the messages out

Local Governments around Australia have an important and active role to play in helping Australians understand and deal with the millennium bug, also called the Year 2000 issue or Y2K. Providing Australians with as many facts as possible on Y2K allows them to plan confidently for the New Year, and limits the potential for actions arising from uncertainty or panic.

Interest in Y2K is likely to increase through December and many Australians will look to their local Council for relevant advice and assistance in preparing for 'the bug'. Much of this demand for information will relate to issues that are specific to Council responsibilities and local circumstances. However, there may also be a need to provide information on the 'bigger picture'

The Commonwealth Government has a Y2K National Communication Strategy in place to provide a broad spectrum of information to the Australian community. State Governments and other sectors and industries are also contributing to the communication effort and there are many places to turn for more information.

The Commonwealth Government's website at www.year2000.gov.au has a wealth of information about Y2K which can be freely downloaded and distributed.

The information includes copies of the Information Bulletins (January and May) and 11 fact sheets covering such topics as What is the Year 2000 issue? and Pension, Family and Unemployment Payments. There are transcripts of radio interviews with government and industry leaders spanning the banking, telecommunications, aviation, farming and many other sectors.

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Alston, made a major statement to Parliament on 22 September about Australia's preparedness in relation to the millennium bug. This speech is also available on the Internet.

Advertisements such as the one highlighted on this page provide a snapshot of Australia's level of preparedness and alert people to the availability of further information through the hotline number 1800 11 2000. In Victoria the number is 1800 656 393.

This advertisement is also available as a striking blue poster which can be displayed in offices and community centers (see below for details about how to order).

The useful household booklet 'You and the millennium bug' can also be downloaded from the Internet, or ordered through the hotline number. This booklet contains up to date information on a broad range of areas, including home appliances, telecommunications, power and water, aviation and travel, banking and finance, health and aged care (see article below).

The booklet is compiled in an easy to read format and highlights the positive approach Australia has taken to the Y2K issue, an approach which has placed our nation at the forefront of international efforts to combat 'the bug'.

For further information on how the Commonwealth campaign can assist your Council in providing information to ratepayers, please contact Gay Woods by email at gay.woods@dcita.gov.au or phone on (02) 6271 1213.

Booklet to beat the bug

The Commonwealth Government's friendly and lively booklet 'You and the millennium bug' provides useful information for all Australian households.

The booklet addresses the following issues.

• How it might affect the home
• How it might affect services people depend on
• What to do about it
• What rights people have in addressing any problems
• Contacts for further information.

'You and the millennium bug' tells you that most home appliances are not date dependant and are therefore unlikely to be affected, and that Australia's banks, telecommunications companies, utilities and airlines have undertaken expensive and exhaustive programs to ensure they are prepared for the Year 2000 date change.

The booklet also offers information and advice on office equipment, supermarket arrangements, farm machinery, fuel and travel issues and insurance.

The section on utilities, which is of particular interest to Local Government, highlights the considerable effort by State and Territory Governments and private operators in allocating resources to address the Year 2000 issue.

This section covers electricity, gas and water supplies and highlights the aim of providers to ensure a 'business as usual' approach around Australia in 2000.

Naturally, disruptions can occur at any time and there are no cast iron guarantees on supply, but it can be said that utilities have extensive contingency plans already in place to deal with a range of events, including bad weather, damage to infrastructure and Y2K.

The Commonwealth Government believes 'You and the millennium bug' represents a valuable general guide to the Year 2000 issue, but it should not be regarded as containing specialist technical or legal advice.

Anyone can get a free copy of the booklet by calling 1800 11 2000 Monday to Friday during normal business hours, (Victoria call 1800 656 393), or by downloading the information from the website at http://www.year2000.gov.au

Councils may obtain a set of additional copies of the booklet for internal and counter use by calling (02) 6271 1222.

Click here to visit the Y2K National Strategy web site

The following articles are also included in this edition or go BACK to the main page: