Australian Greens say the right thing on open transparent government

Election Initiatives
Digital Rights Commissioner- "an independent Human Rights Commissioner for digital rights, to advocate for the online safety, accessibility, privacy and security of all Australians."

Digital Democracy
Trial a variety of digital platforms to increase participation in democratic processes.

Democratic processes and institutions urgently need rejuvenation. Technology has made it easy for ideas to be widely circulated and debated, and for support and interest to be easily gauged. The ability to directly influence legislation and debate will strengthen participation in the political process and increase the legitimacy of the parliament.

Use interactive technology to facilitate public participation in annual government budget-setting to determine priorities for new infrastructure and services as well as revenue raising measures.

Strengthen links between the community and the parliament. Ideas can be raised on an online platform, and if enough support is gathered, the idea must be debated in the parliament.

Encourage participation in treaty-making and decisions about going to war. These policies affect the whole country for generations and the community deserves a say. Technology has made it possible for people to have informed opinions about these complex matters, and to have their opinions heard.

Move legislation that will require all government departments to proactively release information including their budgets and contracts, publishing the information in an easily searchable format.

Everyone should be able to have a say on the contents of a human rights bill. Technology can facilitate crowd-sourcing ideas and debate. Using a platform like those found in The GovLab would give all Australians ownership over the process to draft a human rights bill. This will help to increase the legitimacy of the final bill in the eyes of the community.

Statements in lead up to election
Political donation reform package 
Push for national integrity commission 
Extension of whistleblower protection
 
Responses to questions Electronic Frontiers Australia

Open Government Partnership
Do you support Australia’s involvement in the Open Government Partnership, which Prime Minister Turnbull recommitted Australia to in November 2015?
Yes, though it is the Greens view that the government can and should do much more to make Australia a leader in the area of open government.

Office of the Australian Information Commission
Do you support sufficient and long term resourcing for the functions of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, including the appointment of the three statutory Commissioners (Information, Privacy and Freedom of Information –at present these roles are held by one person)?
Yes, the Greens advocated for the OAIC to be exempt from cuts, and for the return to proper funding arrangements.

Addendum: Responses to questions infoaus.net

Privacy: 94/100 in Australian Privacy Foundation rating. See Response.

From Policy Platform 2015 

Constitutional Reform and Democracy 

1. A strong Senate that can always act as a house of review.
2. That each state and territory to have at least one proportionately-elected parliamentary chamber.
3. Increased independence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate.
4. Electoral reforms that would enable:
   1. all Australian citizens over the age of 16, including those who are incarcerated, to be eligible to vote;
   2. proportional representation in the House of Representatives and local government;
   3. fixed terms of Parliament;
   4. amendment of section 44 of the Constitution to allow any public servant, and Australian citizens with dual nationality, to stand for election to Federal Parliament;
   5. electoral funding reform that provides for:
   1. public funding of political parties and candidates for election campaigns and for the administration of political parties, to be set at a level that ensures proper democratic participation by voters and reduces corporate influence on political decisions;
   2. bans on political donations from for-profit corporations;
   3. caps on individual political donations (excluding bequests) and donations from not-for-profit organisations;
   4. caps on electoral expenditure by parties and candidates and strict limits on third party expenditure; and
   5. continuous, comprehensive public disclosure of political donations and funding on a public website.
   6. optional preferential voting in the Senate, and opposes the reintroduction of group voting tickets;
   7. the removal of any requirement for voters to produce proof of identity when voting;
   8. strong uniform national political donations laws; and
   9. the simplification of electoral enrolment, including the use of online and automatic means, and same-day enrolment at a polling place.
5. For a period of at least two years following their term, Ministers and their senior staff not to be engaged in a private enterprise which raises a conflict or particular benefit from their role and connections developed as a Minister or senior member of staff.
6. A reduction in the deposit required to stand for election to Parliament to remove financial barriers to democratic participation.
7. Australia to be declared a republic with an Australian citizen as head of state.
8. Australia, and state and territories, to have flags that reflect an independent Australia.
8. Increased independence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate.
9. Electoral reforms that would enable:
   1. all Australian citizens over the age of 16, including those who are incarcerated, to be eligible to vote;
   2. proportional representation in the House of Representatives and local government;
   3. fixed terms of Parliament;
   4. amendment of section 44 of the Constitution to allow any public servant, and Australian citizens with dual nationality, to stand for election to Federal Parliament;
   5. electoral funding reform that provides for:
   1. public funding of political parties and candidates for election campaigns and for the administration of political parties, to be set at a level that ensures proper democratic participation by voters and reduces corporate influence on political decisions;
   2. bans on political donations from for-profit corporations;
   3. caps on individual political donations (excluding bequests) and donations from not-for-profit organisations;
   4. caps on electoral expenditure by parties and candidates and strict limits on third party expenditure; and
   5. continuous, comprehensive public disclosure of political donations and funding on a public website.
   6. optional preferential voting in the Senate, and opposes the reintroduction of group voting tickets;
   7. the removal of any requirement for voters to produce proof of identity when voting;
   8. strong uniform national political donations laws; and
   9. the simplification of electoral enrolment, including the use of online and automatic means, and same-day enrolment at a polling place.
10. For a period of at least two years following their term, Ministers and their senior staff not to be engaged in a private enterprise which raises a conflict or particular benefit from their role and connections developed as a Minister or senior member of staff.
11. A reduction in the deposit required to stand for election to Parliament to remove financial barriers to democratic participation.
12. Australia to be declared a republic with an Australian citizen as head of state.
13. Australia, and state and territories, to have flags that reflect an independent Australia.

Community Participation Policy 


The Australian Greens want:

1. Community organisations to be able to participate in public debate without fear of adverse consequences.

2. Marginalised groups to be provided with support and resources enabling them to participate in consultation and deliberation processes.

3. To enable comprehensive participation by community groups in consultation and deliberative processes. Government should provide such groups adequate time and financial assistance where required.

4. Consultation and deliberation processes to be open to independent review to evaluate their effectiveness and recommend improvement to such processes.

5. Governments to provide free and timely information to citizens.

6. Strong Freedom of Information (FOI) laws that exempt community groups and individuals from fees for material gained under FOI.

7. A well-resourced, independent statutory agency to oversee freedom of information requests and appeals.

8. Strong whistle-blower protection legislation.

9. Stronger parliamentary and public scrutiny of government funded programs to enhance transparency and accountability

10. Support for participatory deliberative methods or processes, where appropriate, that increase levels of interaction between decision makers and the public.