| Senator Joe Ludwig Cabinet Secretary Special Minister of State |
The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP Minister for Finance and Deregulation |
53/2009
22 December 2009
The Government 2.0 Taskforce delivered their report on the potential of the Australian Government to utilise web 2.0 technologies to the Rudd Government today.
Chair of the independent taskforce Dr Nicholas Gruen handed Minister for Finance and Deregulation Lindsay Tanner and Special Minister of State, Joe Ludwig the report entitled Engage: Getting on with Government 2.0.
“I would like to thank Dr Gruen and all members of the taskforce for their work in preparing this report,” Lindsay Tanner said.
“We know that significant potential exists for governments to use web 2.0 technologies to deliver effective services, efficient public administration and meaningful community engagement.
“This report provides thirteen recommendations on how the Australian Government can do exactly that.”
The majority of the Taskforce members were able to participate in the handing over of the report, using state of the art video-conferencing facilities to join Lindsay Tanner, Senator Ludwig and Dr Gruen from cities around Australia, including from within Parliament House in Canberra.
The Government 2.0 Taskforce has used these ‘Telepresence’ facilities since its inception in June this year to hold virtual meetings, saving on the expenses and time associated with travelling for face to face meetings.
Lindsay Tanner and Senator Ludwig appointed the Taskforce in June to investigate how the Australian Government can use ‘web 2.0’ approaches to expand the uses of Commonwealth information and to improve the way government engages with citizens.
Senator Ludwig congratulated the members of the taskforce for the enthusiasm and professionalism they brought to the preparation of the report.
Senator Ludwig said: “The recommendations of the Taskforce can help build the Government’s integrity agenda though better engagement with citizens by making government information more accessible to the public.”
“The Rudd Government is already pursuing a pro-disclosure culture through important reforms to Australia’s Freedom of Information laws, and this report will help us advance open government.”
The Government will now consider the recommendations the Taskforce has provided.
The report is available at www.finance.gov.au/publications/gov20taskforcereport
| Media Contacts: | Website: |
|---|---|
| Senator Ludwig's Office - Sarah Cosson - 0423 823 843 | www.cabinetsecretary.gov.au www.smos.gov.au |
| Minister Tanner's Office - Nardia Dazkiw - 0418 144 690 | www.financeminister.gov.au |