State Government is well prepared for ramifications of so-called Y2K Bug.

7/12/99
Premier Richard Court says the Western Australian Government is well prepared for dealing with the possible ramifications of the so-called Y2K Bug.
Mr Court said that Government agencies had so far spent more than $150 million in addressing the issue and the public sector had reached a high level of preparedness for the arrival of the Year 2000.
"Planning has been meticulous and has given us confidence that essential services will not falter," he said.
"However, should problems arise we have well-developed contingency plans to get things back up and running quickly."
The Premier said some of the work undertaken included:

• the assessment of more than 30,000 pieces of medical equipment for Y2K readiness - including dialysis machines, X-ray equipment and oxygen ventilators;
• the upgrade of the computer system operating traffic signals;
• tests of all power stations;
• replacement of fire alarm monitoring technology; and -
• ensuring alternative communications arrangements for emergency services.

Mr Court said that while the work had been done well in advance, a special WA Government Year 2000 Co-ordination Centre would be monitoring the situation as the clock ticked down to, and past, midnight on New Year's Eve.
The centre will be in contact with all major Government agencies during that time and includes representatives from the Ministry of Premier and Cabinet, the Health Department, the Police Service, Fire and Emergency Services, Western Power, Water Corporation and Alinta Gas.
"The response group will also monitor the situation in New Zealand and the Eastern States in case there is an early warning of Y2K problems," the Premier said.
"If preparation and planning account for anything then we should have a smooth transition into the 21st century."
Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 9222 9475