INTERNET ACCESS TO PARLIAMENTARIANS AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE (Parliamentary Secretary) [5.07 p.m.]: The year 2009 is the anniversary of the beginnings of the Internet: it marks its fortieth birthday.

As analyst Peter Cooper has pointed out, we are among the last generation in developed countries to have known a world without the Internet. Last year, I spoke in this place about the online participation of members of this Parliament. I was fortunate to have an intern from Sydney University undertake an audit of members of Parliament online and I found that only 39 of the 135 members of this Parliament had personal websites last year. I said at the time that these findings were less than inspiring and I decided to make this an annual task. I am pleased that the number has increased this year.

There are now 53 members with websites. I give particular mention to my colleague the Hon. Mick Veitch for getting online last week at www.mickveitch.com.au. There are now 21 members who are using Twitter and 21 members who are experimenting with Facebook. Websites and social media technologies are not just fads. Tools such as Twitter enable new channels of communication between disparate communities, and direct channels of communication between elected representatives and their constituencies. They can help us to do our jobs better. The concept of Government 2.0 is about harnessing social, media and interactive technologies to provide better services and alternative channels of communication to—in the words of James Dellow from Headshift in the United Kingdom—"get things done". For those interested in learning about tools like Twitter, I will be hosting a workshop for members of Parliament using Twitter with the Tweet MP creators next month—everyone interested is invited.

Earlier this year I attended an event run by Senator Kate Lundy in the Australian Capital Territory called Public Sphere, which explored exactly what Web 2.0 technologies could mean for government, and particularly for the Federal Government at this time. As a result of that event I was inspired to host a similar event in New South Wales. New South Wales Public Sphere Government 2.0 was held on 4 September here in Parliament House. It was put together with a team of volunteers I met through Twitter. It brought together public servants, industry people and engaged citizens to talk about how we can use technology to engage and deliver better services in New South Wales. Over 100 people attended. Throughout the day there were over 1,500 tweets, 135 people either watched or listened to the live stream, and 61 photos were posted to a live Flickr photo feed of the event.

I place on record my appreciation to the Parliament's information technology staff who assisted us. We pushed them beyond the limits of what they had previously considered to be reasonable for an event held by members of Parliament. It was a truly interactive event. We heard from 21 speakers who covered everything from better engagement with the community, access to public data and how the Internet is empowering citizens and our democracy. We looked at the innovation happening right now in New South Wales: police using Twitter, social media in the Murray Darling, and what our public library system is doing to bring the Internet to everyone in our community. As a result of this event there will soon be a discussion paper produced via a wiki, which means that anyone who is interested can contribute to the recommendations that we will be putting forward to the Premier as to how we can progress Government 2.0 throughout New South Wales.

I also thank the Premier for attending the event. He outlined what Government 2.0 can mean for this State. He said that he is "determined to do even more to improve public access to public data and encourage the community to develop creative new ways to use Government information". For example, he soon will launch the apps4nsw public competition, with $100,000 in prizes, which will encourage individuals and groups to create ideas and software that use government information that can be shared widely. We also are opening up the New South Wales data catalogue and a new information website that will help make public data usable by third parties. The Premier's leadership on this issue sends an important message not only to the Government but also to our citizens that he believes Government 2.0 innovations can improve democracy and representation in this State. As the Premier said when he spoke at the New South Wales Public Sphere:

One-way government can no longer cut it. It is not enough to be able to express your opinion once every four years at the ballot box. It is not enough to be able to write letters or petitions or hold rallies. The game has changed—and it has changed forever.

The Internet opens up a world of possibilities. As with any new opportunity, there are risks but, on balance, the Internet offers ways to use information, harness innovation and create new solutions to problems that have not been available before. I encourage all members of Parliament to engage online. Part of the reason for the success of the Internet is that it is open and free. That has driven innovations. I place on record my concerns about the Federal Government's Internet filter. I believe it will not work and it does not deal with the problem of keeping young people and children online. I urge the Federal Government to consider taking a different approach.