edemocracy

Obama keeping the momentum online, could it be replicated in NSW?

Penny Sharpe — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:23:16 -0700

75 days until inauguration starts Obama's website. It is the first evidence of Obama's determination to involve all who want to be involved in his administration.

The first blog says "Change.gov provides resources to better understand the transition process and the decisions being made as part of it. It also offers an opportunity to be heard about the challenges our country faces and your ideas for tackling them. The Obama Administration will reflect an essential lesson from the success of the Obama campaign: that people united around a common purpose can achieve great things

The site in encouraging people to apply for jobs, learn about the transition process, have input into his agenda and most importantly continue the momentum of his campaign by asking people to share their concerns, hopes and dreams.

This is in stark contrast to online campaigning and engagement in Australia. While the Kevin07 campaign set a new standard, like most administrations, once elected, the online participation has dramatically decreased.

I recently had an intern who did a project for me about politicians in NSW and their presence online it was not a pretty picture - only 39 out of 136 MP's even have a website.

I am keen to pursue this issue further in NSW. What would you like to see from your MP's online? What is the trigger that would get you to respond to a blog? Would you be interested in group blogs from upper house members? Would you participate if committees have online consultations about their inquiries? We don't have online petitions or reviews of the petitions that are tables in the parliament.

All ideas welcome.

NSW Labor's new Political and Social Justice Portal

Penny — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:58:34 -0600

The NSW Labor Party has relaunched its website as a Political and Social Justice Portal for the 21st century featuring campaigns, a blog, and news. The new site is more interactive and includes enhanced membership services, for new and existing members, info on Labor groups and ways of getting involved.

The campaigns engage people around issues that they care about and can make a difference to. At the moment, NSW Labor is focussing on increasing the numbers of organ donors in Australia. Many people don't realise that ticking a box on their driver's license application does not automatically register your consent as an organ donor. In Australia, we have an "opt-in" system, and you need to register with Medicare. The ‘Save a Life: Be a Donor' campaign aims to change this by advocating for a system of presumed consent through a petition, letters to the editor and encouraging people to register their consent themselves.

PoliticsOnline 'Top 10'

Penny — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:00:35 -0600

At one point during the 2007 Federal Election, the media were calling it the YouTube election. Whether or not that turned out to be the case, there is no doubt that the internet has changed the way politicians interact with their constituencies, and more importantly how those constituencies are able to interact with us.

e-Democracy isn't just an Australian, or even a US phenomenon. It's become a global reality and PoliticsOnline and the World eDemocracy Forum have opened nominations for the Top 10 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics.

This award seeks to recognise the innovators and pioneers, the dreamers and doers who bring democracy online. PoliticsOnline subscribers and visitors help select the top 10 individuals, organisations and companies having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics.

And that doesn't just include pollies on who have their own blog, or a presence on facebook. Last years winners included the ACTU's Your Rights at work campaign, which incorporated email campaigns educating people about IR changes and urging them to take action, with online petitions, and online donations to keep the campaign going. GetUp! also received a gong for attracting more members than all the major political parties in Australia and influencing policy at a Federal level.

Nominations are open until 21 July. You can submit a nomination by filling out a form at PoliticsOnline.com, asking for a brief statement (200 words or less) describing the person and or institution, and why he/she/it/they deserves recognition. Be sure to include all necessary URL's.

A "Top 10 nominee list" will be published July 28, from which voters will be asked to select the final top 10.

Blogosphere delivers a polling triumph - the Pollercoaster

Penny Sharpe — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:23:18 -0600

Out there in the political tragic part of the blogosphere (where I admit I occassionally lurk) lies a number of people with too much time on their hands. I have come across this post today from Possum Comitatus who has developed the Pollercoaster. A very different way of seeing the fortunes of the Federal ALP over the last 7 years. I loved it.

Kevin07 come on down

Penny Sharpe — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:05:25 -0600

Blogs, video, petitions, policy, enews, myspace, youtube and facebook. Finally a forum for engagement over just what sort of country we want to live in. Get involved and help get rid of Howard.

Facebook - am I getting addicted?

Penny Sharpe — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 01:12:55 -0600

I have put myself up on facebook. Not too many friends as yet but I am enjoying being a member of groups such as I wish I lived in Bennelong so I could vote for Maxine, Bring me Sunshine Mike (Vote 1 Mike Bailey), I love Greg Combet and the Antony Green Appreciation Society. - warning you have to register to view.

Will any of this make a difference at election time? I am not sure but I am fascinated by the possibilities.