The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Privileges and Members' Interests is warming to the idea of online publication of details of interests in the next parliament. In a report Publication of details of Members' Interests on the Australian Parliament House website released yesterday, the Committee suggests how this could be done efficiently while preserving the integrity of the data and protecting wide dissemination of signatures, thought to be one area of concern.The Committee is interested in comments and suggestions.
All power to Open Australia for the ground-breaking initiative in getting a version of the Members and Senators registers up and on-line in February this year. Better things to follow.
Most state parliaments are yet to consider this 21st Century step up in transparency.
This blog takes an interest in issues associated with Freedom of Information (FOI) and privacy legislation in Australia. Information contained on this site is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Follow Peter Timmins on Twitter: @foiguru Follow the open government cause through the Australian Open Government Partnership Network. www.opengovernment.org.au and @opengovau
Peter - Thanks for writing this up. I wouldn't have found out about it otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really positive step in the right direction.