This is an interesting initiative. The federal government has produced The Guide to Open Source Software for Australian Government Agencies.

I understand that a private members bill was put forward by either the Greens or the Dems in the Senate and subsequentially rejected which required government agencies to at least weigh up the benefits of open source technology. I also believe that the ACT has legislation to this effect (although I’m not 100% sure about either of these).

What ever the case may be it is clear that open source software provides some excellent opporunities including some quite large savings and a high level of customisation. A good move all round.