My department receives a monthly report from ACTEW regarding its Y2K status and this is included in a monthly report on ACT Government Agency progress which is issued publicly. In addition to media sources, this report is available via the ACT Government's Y2K website. Additional information on ACTEW's Y2K activities are available via its website.

In addition to monitoring ACTEWs activities, the ACT is represented in two national forums which monitor information regarding the preparations of electricity generators across Australia. A national Infrastructure Forum, which will include representatives from these electricity providers speaking about the readiness of their industry, is planned for the ACT in August.

3) The Government is employing a number of strategies to promote compliance within the community. ACT Government activities with regard to promoting compliance fall into two primary areas: a local communications strategy and participation in the development of a national communications strategy.

Locally, the Government is handling Y2K communications in a number of ways, including the establishment of a Y2K website and the resourcing of a Y2K Hotline. In March this year, I sent letters to organisations representing Small to Medium Enterprises asking them to encourage their members to prepare appropriately. The Government also reports publicly on a monthly basis the Y2K status of public sector agencies. A full Y2K community communications strategy is being developed by the Office of IT & Multimedia to cover the critical period between. June and the end of this year. This strategy will be presented to Government in May 1999.

At a national level, the ACT is participating in the development of a national communications strategy, which will focus on two key areas - SMEs and the general community. These will involve an extensive campaign in the print media, on radio and possibly on television and is scheduled to start in July.