The ministers released the outcome of the review of the Government Information Technology and Communications (GITC) Framework and a draft guide on capping liability for ICT contracts which deliver on key Howard government ICT election policies.

"The draft guide provides practical assistance to procurement officers on how to identify and manage risk in government ICT contracts, including sample clauses for ICT contracts," Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan said. "Ultimately when the guide is finalized it will result in the capping of liability in [most] government contracts."

In announcing the outcomes of the review of the GITC, Special Minister of State, Senator Abetz said more standardization across government contracts would be a benefit for all involved.

"It makes no sense for government agencies to have completely different forms of contracts," Abetz said. "Prices and supply will be different in each case, but there is no justification for other conditions in contracts varying as much as they do."

Established in 1991, the GITC is a set of terms and conditions that Australian government agencies use to create contracts for ICT procurement.