(2) What quantitative and qualitative measures are utilised to determine the effectiveness of the system?

(3) Since the introduction of the system, what are the annual results of the quantitative and qualitative measures in relation to each individual kiosk and as an overall total?

(4) Since its introduction, what are the annual costs of maintaining the kiosk system in terms of hardware and software?

(5) What service provider performs the maintenance of the kiosk system and under what arrangements?

(6) Who retains the intellectual property rights associated with the system?

(7) What efforts are being made to market this technology beyond the ACT Public Service?

(1) Stand-alone AUSTOUCH kiosks were installed in public locations late 1994 and officially launched early 1995.

A request for tender was called in 1996 to expand the AUSTOUCH service to include payment collection and receipt printing facilities.

A contract with North Communications Australia was signed on 5 November 1996 for the delivery of 10 networked AUSTOUCH kiosks and options to extend the network. The cost of the contract was $115,000 per annum. An amount of $50,000 per was also allocated for the development of content and services on the kiosks.

Since entering the contract, eight additional kiosks have been added to the network, bringing the total number of kiosks to 18. The annual cost for the 18 kiosks is $163,000.

In February 1999, the kiosks were upgraded to be Internet compliant, thereby reducing the annual content and services cost from $50,000 to $10,000.

(2) A comprehensive Customer Satisfaction and Performance Study is conducted annually.