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Government 2.0 Taskforce Draft Report Released and Open for Public Comment

Last Updated (Monday, 07 December 2009 13:45) Written by Lyndsey Jackson

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We are very excited to share that the draft report from the Government 2.0 Taskforce has now been released. It has been five months of incredibly hard work, and the Taskforce need to be congratulated for their efforts in developing a report that sets the foundations for change in Government.

The draft report has been released to provide people with opportunity to provide comments and input for consideration in the final report, comments need to be provided by 5pm Wednesday 16th December 2009. The ability for people to comment aligns with the collaborative spirit of web 2.0 and is in keeping with the participatory engagement process that the Taskforce have operated under.

Through their recommendations the Taskforce have set the challenge to Government to deliver changes that affect how Government facilitate public engagement, participation, collaboration and debate; how data and public sector information should be treated; how copyright should evolve; and how privacy and confidentiality should be addressed in an online world to protect citizens rights in balance with reducing restrictions on access to public information.

The reports central recommendation of, ‘A Declaration of Open Government by the Government’ sets the tone for this change. This central recommendation of ‘A Declaration of Open Government by the Government’ is explained in the draft report as acknowledging that:

Public sector information is a national resource and that releasing as much of it on as permissive terms as possible will maximise its economic, social value to Australians and reinforce its contribution to a healthy democracy;

Using technology to increase collaboration in making policy and providing service will help achieve a more consultative, participatory and transparent government;

Online engagement by public servants involving robust professional discussion, as part of their duties and/or as private citizens, benefits their agencies, their professional development, those with whom they are engaged and the Australian public. This engagement should be enabled and encouraged; and

The fulfilment of the above at all levels of government is integral to the Government’s objectives including public sector reform, innovation and utilising the national investment in broadband to achieve an informed, connected and democratic community.

Thirteen recommendations to Government have been made by the Taskforce.

Being a part of the Government 2.0 Taskforce has been a busy, challenging and rewarding process for Lisa Harvey. Lisa brought to the Taskforce table not just an understanding of technology and the potential of technology and web 2.0 applications to build community and foster participation and collaboration, but Energetica’s collective experience working with the not-for-profit sector.

Lisa’s inclusion ensured that nonprofits have had a voice in this process. Lisa could only achieve this because we have had the privilege of working with so many not-for-profit organisations that have trusted us to provide them with the best technological solutions, and these organisations in turn have allowed us to ever increase our understanding of the changing needs, challenges, processes and vision of the sector.

Take the time to read the report and provide any comments via the Taskforce website by the 16th of December.

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