Fujitsu helps Northern Territory Government deliver online services for motorists from the top end to the red centre

Northern Territory motorists will be able to renew their driver's licences and vehicle registrations online from next week, thanks to an initiative from Fujitsu, the Northern Territory Government and Charles Darwin University. The system also facilitates online changes of address and other services.

Unveiled today by Transport and Infrastructure Minister Dr Chris Burns, the Motor Vehicle Registry's MVR Quick Pay system provides greater convenience for all Territory motorists. People who wish to pay online can use BPAY or credit card facilities at www.mvr.nt.gov.au, while drivers who wish to pay in person will benefit from reduced queues at MVR customer service offices. Like all NT Government online transaction services, MVR Quick Pay is protected by advanced computer security and encryption protocols to ensure that customers' personal and financial details are kept secure.

"The tyranny of distance is a fact of life in the Northern Territory, which means that online government services are particularly important for people here," said Maryann Jamieson, Northern Territory Manager for Fujitsu Australia. "Fujitsu is excited to be helping the Government deliver on its commitment to opening up more government services for Territorians to access online."

MVR Quick Pay is the result of a successful collaboration between Fujitsu, Charles Darwin University, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment (DIPE) and the Department of Corporate and Information Services (DCIS). Academics and students from the University were involved in developing prototype application components as part of a research project examining technologies for Web-enabling legacy computer systems.

The MVR Quick Pay application was developed by Fujitsu using a three-tier model based on Microsoft .NET and J2EE programming tools to provide a Web front-end to MVR's mainframe platform, which manages all vehicle and driver registration in the Territory. Fujitsu provides mainframe application development and management services to all NT Government agencies under a five-year whole-of-government agreement signed in 2001.

"MVR Quick Pay is a classic example of Fujitsu's ability to bring new life to important legacy applications by combining our mainframe expertise with world-class skills in Microsoft .NET and Web development," said Ms Jamieson.

"By linking the Motor Vehicle Registry's core business systems to the Internet, we have delivered a solution that benefits all Territorians. People who drive have the option to use these services online, while even non-drivers stand to benefit from improved government efficiency and reduced costs."

The MVR online payments project began in early 2004 and is set to continue into the new year. The launch of MVR Quick Pay represents the successful conclusion of the project's second stage, delivered on time and on budget.