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

Service Point Program to allow simple discovery of datasets and for users to easily suggest
datasets. The lead agency would need to work with relevant agencies to ensure that requests for
release of data are met wherever possible.
The taskforce asked for suggestions for information that might usefully be released in a contest
on IdeaScale. 255 Suggestions included much information that is already made available but at a
cost, or under restrictive licensing. 256
People can most effectively request publication of information when they know what
information assets exist. The implementation of the proposed information publication scheme
could further assist agencies in recognising their information assets and form the basis of an
information register. Such a register would represent a core tool in improving the means by
which others discover and locate data held. It would need to be based on types or classes of
data that are named and described in such a way as to be meaningful to those outside the
agency. In some cases, the register could include details of the reasons for release and nonrelease
of data. It could also act as a ‘check-list’ for agencies in determining compliance with
guidelines surrounding the release of PSI.
Apart from encouraging proactive publication, the publication scheme should also, therefore,
assist the public to discover what information assets exist, and how they might get access to it.
5.10.2 
 Taskforce project report
The taskforce commissioned a report through its project fund to support the work of the
taskforce and to contribute to its deliberations on the form and nature of the information
publication scheme. The report, by Eric Wainwright and Dagmar Parer of eKnowledge
Structures, 257 provides a comprehensive view of the Australian and international contexts and
recommendations for an approach for an information publication scheme for the Australian
Government. The report also makes suggestions for implementation of the publication scheme.
The report includes suggested content for initial guidelines to be issued to agencies by the
proposed OIC. The report also suggested content for a model information publication scheme
and suggested guidelines for agency information publication plans.
A number of ‘quick wins’ are identified to help agencies increase discoverability of seven
categories of information already covered by publication and reporting obligations. These cover
information in Annual Reports, documents required to be tabled under Senate Procedural
Orders, and documents required to be listed under FOI Act Section 9 Statements.
Other aspects of the report are summarised in Appendix C.
255 http://gov2taskforce.ideascale.com/a/ideafactory.dodiscussionID=8036 or http://tinyurl.com/ykkb2gs.
256 This reinforces the need for PSI to be released in accordance with the principles set out in this report, particularly
that it be free, based on open standards, easily discoverable, understandable, machine-readable and freely
reusable. See Recommendation 6.
257 Government 2.0 Taskforce Project 7, Whole of Government Information Publication Scheme, by Eric Wainwright
and Dagmar Parer, eKnowledge Structures, http://gov2.net.au/projects/project-7.
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Engage: <strong>Getting</strong> on with Government 2.0 | report of the government 2.0 taskforce