Getting on with Government 2.0 - Department of Finance and ...

1.2 Leadership, policy and governance to achieve culture
change
Cultural change is at the heart of Government 2.0 and more important than the development of
policy or the technical challenges of adopting new technologies.
Effective engagement with citizens will occur only where government agencies and public
servants encourage their involvement — not just by inviting it, for there is no shortage of such
invitations today, but by responding in ways that demonstrate their appreciation of public
contributions. By grasping the potential of Government 2.0, governments can increase the
effectiveness of policy making and take the opportunity to draw citizens into closer collaboration
with them. Greater openness and transparency will mean that government is more exposed to
public scrutiny and criticism. The benefits to be realised include improved access to new ideas
and informed feedback.
Whole of government leadership is required to drive this transition. Government 2.0 must infuse
the culture of public agencies and their operatives. It must become ‘the way we do things here’.
Government 2.0 is central to delivering on critical national objectives including the National
Innovation Agenda, 35 improving the quality, flexibility and innovative capability of the public
service, 36 and allowing us to make the most of the huge investment in broadband and other
enabling infrastructure to make Australia a more connected democracy.
Chapter 5 discusses the taskforce’s findings and recommendations for Government 2.0 leadership.
1.3 The application of Web 2.0 collaborative tools and
practices to the processes of government
Government 2.0 involves the application of Web 2.0 collaborative tools and practices to the
processes of government. As they have outside of government, these tools and practices can
increase productivity and efficiency. Yet this report is guided by the conviction that it can be
much more than this. As Australia’s self-organised Government 2.0 Google Group puts it:
Government 2.0 is not specifically about social networking or technology … It represents a
fundamental shift in the implementation of government — toward an open, collaborative,
cooperative arrangement where there is (wherever possible) open consultation, open data,
shared knowledge, mutual acknowledgment of expertise, mutual respect for shared values
and an understanding of how to agree to disagree. Technology and social tools are an
important part of this change but are essentially [just] an enabler in this process. 37
Given that government should be inherently collective and collaborative, the potential of
a Web 2.0-enabled approach to government is potentially transformative. It offers the
opportunity to make representative democracy more responsive, participatory and informed.
The incorporation of Web 2.0 technology into government engagement offers a unique
opportunity to achieve more open, transparent, accountable and responsive government.
Alternatives should continue to be provided for those not wishing or able to engage online.
35 Powering Ideas: An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century
http://www.innovation.gov.au/innovationreview/Pages/home.aspx or http://tinyurl.com/67l3vm.
36 Advisory Group on Reform of Australian Government Administration
http://www.innovation.gov.au/Section/Innovation/Pages/AdvancingPublicSectorInnovation.aspx or
http://tinyurl.com/nbx6jm and Management Advisory Committee, Advancing Public Sector Innovation
see http://www.innovation.gov.au/Section/Innovation/Pages/AdvancingPublicSectorInnovation.aspx or
http://tinyurl.com/nbx6jm.
37 http://groups.google.com.au/group/gov20canberra or http://tinyurl.com/lffnvo.
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Engage: <strong>Getting</strong> on with Government 2.0 | report of the government 2.0 taskforce