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Consultative democracy

Russell from Citizen Driven Stats takes the OZ SI Camp Changemaker Quiz

Russell Kallaman's picture

Russell Kallaman, co-creator of Citizen Driven Stats takes the Open Fourm Q&A shares in the lead up to OZ SI Camp.  

Some Thoughts on Gov 2.0 in Australia

Andy Williamson's picture

The Director of the UK Hansard Society’s eDemocracy Programme on the progress of Gov 2.0 in Australia.  

As Consultation Closes Debate on Australian Human Rights Act Heats Up

sally.rose's picture

The National Human Rights Consultation Committee have released their final report listing 31 recommendations, how do you think they did?

Adverse Communication

Neil Batt's picture

Getting past the gatekeepers is the first step to being heard.

Open Forum in Canberra

Check out our Blogger-in Chief, Sally Rose, presenting at Microsoft Australia's second annual Politics & Technology Forum: Campaigning Online in Parliament House, Canberra, to an audience of 150 parliamentarians, bureaucrats, bloggers and party officials. »»

What a Year!

sally.rose's picture

Thank you to all our members for a great year. Best wishes for a happy holiday, see you online in 2009!

"Second Track" Processes

Ian WattOn 26 September Dr Ian Watt AO presented these ideas at the GAP Congress on Regulatory Affairs: "Opportunities for Business",  held in Parliament House of Victoria.

We are here today to discuss more effective ways for governments to interact with business and the community to help improve government regulation. I want to spend my time talking about how a method of consultation termed "Second Track" might and might not contribute to that process.

In working this through, I want to raise four main issues for your consideration.

First, what do I think are "Second Track" processes, and how do they work?

Second, why would this interest the Commonwealth Government's Department of Finance and Deregulation?

Third, can "Second Track" processes really improve regulation?

And, fourth, what rules of engagement are worth considering for "Second Track" initiatives? When might "Second Track" initiatives work, and when are they unlikely to work?

I take Peter Fritz's invitation to speak on a "Second Track" to policy development and regulation as a chance to step aside from the normal track - pun not intended - that we take in Government, so that we can look for other and, presumably, more effective ways, for Government to help improve regulation through consultation.

The 'Second Track' Process: a Civil Solution

peter fritz's picture

We need to move away from the myth that government is always the appropriate agency for resolving people's problems and that the individuals have no responsibility for society outside their own lives.

Talk Openly: Better Regulation Forum with special guest blogger, The Hon. Lindsay Tanner MP

Minister TannerFrom 13-17 October Open Forum hosted The Hon. Lindsay Tanner MP, Minister for Finance and Deregulation, in an online discussion forum on Better Regulation. Thanks to everyone who participated, some quality ideas were shared. See for yourself how the Minister responded to such comments as "Case study: Regulating to distroy innovation and add cost" (Charles on energy regulation in Victoria), "The Minister may consider the use of Web2 technologies" (Victor Perton on reducing the cost of policy input) or Russell Yardley's idea of a small business wikipedia of everyday practical problems.

Talk Openly: Better Regulation Forum with special guest The Hon. Lindsay Tanner MP

SPECIAL EVENT: Monday 13th - Friday 17th October '08

The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP, Federal Minister for Finance and Deregulation, is our guest blogger as part of this interactive, online discussion forum on BETTER REGULATION.

Are you an expert or specialist in your field? Do you think you understand the needs of your industry better than the government? Are you tired of dealing with archaic laws that are no longer relevant? Or, are you working with emerging technologies which the law hasn't understood yet?  Are you an "ordinary" citizen with some extraordinary ideas for better regulation?

Then this is your chance to get directly in the Minister for Deregulation's ear! 

We talk a lot about the need for politicians to "stay in touch".  Minister Tanner has expressed a desire not just to talk, but to listen and reply to your ideas. 

We're looking forward to hearing what you have to say. The BETTER REGULATION forum opens on Thursday, 9 October 2008. Participation is simple and free. If you aren't already, sign in to become an Open Forum member. Write your comments, questions and suggestions using the "Post a comment" link below.

The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP will be personally responding to submissions from Monday, 13 to Friday, 17 October 2008.

Open Forum will then continue to follow how some of your ideas can be turned in to BETTER REGULATION.