Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

Citizen’s dealings with the ACT Government should be flexible, but coordinated so time doesnot have to be spent enrolling in various ACT Government websites or lists. Access shouldbe facilitated through apps like that used by Brisbane City Council. 129 This would be furtherenhanced by removing legislative and technical barriers to sharing appropriate informationbetween Directorates (if nothing else to allow for pre-population of enrolment or applicationforms).In seeking to enhance the public face of the ACTPS through Canberra Connect and the shopfronts, careful thought will need to be given to a business development plan for CanberraConnect, as well as development of a consistent look and feel for all ACT Governmentwebsites. In his Submission to the Review, Mr Jim Grenfell noted:the system appears to be predicated on the basis that the user has foreknowledge ofwhere they need to go. Even basic corporate information appears to be lacking …The better practice organisations include structures that mix both their functionalresponsibilities with their organisational structures. The integration of this datamakes the information journey easier for the non-expert user. 130Knowledge ManagementThe way the information is collected, stored, analysed, interpreted, and released isfundamental to citizen centred governance, public value, robust high quality policy andprogram development and operational service delivery. Indeed, a necessary consequence ofmore open policy making is the need for a more proactive approach to the collection,management and release of information, because “access to information is the basiccornerstone on which consultation and active participation is built”. 131 If the ACTPS is toengage meaningfully with the citizenry in policy and program design then it needs to be freerin sharing the information it holds.Existing governance arrangements establishing how government information is collected,stored, and released form an important part of the overall approach for how the ACTPS doesits business. Providing access to information between the ACTPS Directorates and to thecommunity will be an increasingly important issue in the future. Technological change willbe central to how the ACTPS does its business, and how the Government relates to theCanberra community in the future.A related project currently underway involving the Assembly Secretariat and the currentChief Minister’s Department involves exploration of options for electronic tabling of papersin the Assembly. In part this initiative of the Speaker and Manager of Government Businessis intended to reduce the volume of paper generated through the operation of Assembly129 See http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council/contact-council/mobileenablement/index.htm?utm_source=corphome&utm_medium=caro&utm_term=-&utm_content=imageversion&utm_campaign=mobile%20phone%20smart%20iphone%20blackberry%20mobi%20brisbanecity.mobi130 Submission No. 12. Mr James Grenfell.131 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2003) p.15Governing the City State: 88