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Government Data Management

NZ releases first open govt policy

By Clarice Africa | 18 November 2011

The New Zealand labour party has released today the first comprehensive Open Government policy which focuses on fostering transparency in political offices and engaging citizens to have more input in policy making.

An official statement from Labour said that many New Zealanders feel disconnected from the democratic process and are unable to connect with politicians or the way the government operates.

“People deserve to know the democratic process around parliamentary law making is sound. Hence, transparency of political offices is the core principle in the Open Government policy,” they said.

The policy also commits to producing a comprehensive “Open Government Charter”, based on a set of principles developed in consultation with the public. It includes provisions for Cabinet papers and other documents to be publicly available once decisions are made without people having to request them through the Official Information Act.

In addition, a review of standing orders will also be initiated in order to ensure that the public is involved in legislative processes, and to also adopt new technologies to better connect with citizens.

Among the matters for consultation included in the Open Government Charter are the following:

● Require Ministers and Government agencies releasing all Cabinet papers and other relevant papers (with some exemptions) onto a dedicated website, in line with the Official Information Act (the Act), once a decision is announced by government.

● Publish the Hansard in a format that can easily be re-used and republished by anybody for any purpose.

● Release appropriate public sector data and information free of charge.

● Work towards publishing or broadcasting all public Parliamentary proceedings over the Internet and digital television.

● Consider the regular use of formal citizen assemblies to help develop policy in areas where public input and consideration can assist in tackling complex problems.

● Develop a trial of online voting in local government and general elections.

● Consider the degree to which other public services can be made available online through an easy-to-use one stop website.

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