ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher today launched the new Open Government website as part of a commitment to provide more openness and transparency and enable participation by Canberrans in the business of government.

“It is our intention to make as much government information available online as possible, and open up new possibilities for the use of this information by the community. The new website provides a means to achieve this,” the Chief Minister said. The website is designed to provide the community with a single gateway for access to a broad range of information focused on the business of government, with links to a wide variety of information including Cabinet summaries, media releases, community engagement activities, reports, strategic plans and contracts.

For the first time, ACT Government data sets will be publically available via the site, which will also provide live streaming of Legislative Assembly proceedings. Material issued through Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation will also be published, subject to certain exemptions. It is anticipated that FOI material will first appear on the site by November 2011.

“One of the key principles of open government is that information should be made accessible to the broader community when appropriate and encourage greater involvement. “The website design process included feedback received online, and will continue to improve and evolve through ongoing community participation via the Time to Talk website,” the Chief Minister concluded. The Open Government website is located at www.act.gov.au/opengovernment