Network of civic citizens to engage on open government
A national coalition of organisations and
individuals is gearing up to respond to the Federal Government’s invitation to
engage on issues concerning how to make government work better, focusing on
transparency, open government, citizen participation and technological
innovation.
The government has unveiled plans for wide
ranging consultation over the next six months in the course of development of a
National Action Plan to complete membership requirements of the Open Government
Partnership. Information sessions are scheduled this week in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
Australia announced the intention to join
the partnership in May 2013 but had not progressed the application until the
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet last month released details of steps
to finalise membership by July 2016.
This requires development in partnership
with the public of a two year plan of concrete commitments for reform.
The Australian Open Government
Partnership Network will bring together a wide range of civil society groups and individuals.
The Chair, former Queensland Integrity
Commissioner David Solomon welcomed the announcement and the government’s
commitment to the Open Government Declaration.
When Australia was invited to join in
September 2011, the partnership had eight members including the United States,
United Kingdom, Indonesia and Brazil.
In
2015 sixty nine countries have completed or are in the process of completing membership
requirements.
Dr Solomon said “ Australia has stood to
the side while reformers elsewhere identified and acted upon plans to improve
government and government engagement with the public.” We look forward to
working with government now to catch up.”
The network will provide a forum for the
exchange of information and ideas on areas for reform, seek to ensure the plan
is developed in the true spirit of partnership, and work to assist government in
the determination of priorities for consideration.
“Democracy is a defining feature of good
government" Dr Solomon said.
“Listening, discussing and taking on board the
thoughts and ideas of the citizenry is a vital element in making democracy
work.”
Media Contact: Network Convener Peter
Timmins-0413256777.
Organisations and individuals interested in the network-email peter.timmins1@gmail.com-a website and forum coming soon.
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