Published Wednesday, 27 August, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
More Queenslanders connecting to online services
Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has today announced a surge in visitors to the Queensland Government e-democracy website over 12 months has prompted an $80,000 makeover to ensure the site stays user friendly.
Ms Nelson-Carr said more than 94,000 Queenslanders used the community engagement website Get Involved in 2007-08 to access information about government decision-making and exercise their democratic right by having their say online.
“Making it easier for busy Queenslanders to become involved in government business is critical for the ongoing delivery of quality public policies, programs and services and e-democracy will play an in increasingly important role,” she said.
“Take the recent consultation about smoke-free laws. Of 588 Queenslanders who had their say online, 89% said ‘no’ to smoking in motor vehicles where children under 16 years are present.
“As a result of strong community input on issues like this, the Premier later announced changes to smoking laws in May.”
More than 18,000 people have responded to 38 online consultations in the 2007-08 financial year on issues such as transport, smoke-free laws and altruistic surrogacy.
“The online feedback they provided has been important in informing the development, implementation and evaluation of policies in various departments and across the whole of government,” said the Minister.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the web was a quick and cost-effective way to distribute information and seek input from a broad audience – no matter where they live.
“The Get Involved website visits have increased by 33% over the past year, surging from 63,000 in 2006-07 to 94,000 last financial year,” she said.
“In today’s busy world, many people don’t’ have the time, ability or finances to attend meetings or use traditional contact methods such as the phone because of work, shift and family commitments so the web is an increasingly appealing way of overcoming barriers and engage with government 24/7,” she said.
“You can have a say at a time and place convenient to you – an aspect particularly appealing for rural and remote residents.”
The Get Involved website provides information about how government works, how to contact government and take part in decision-making and other community engagement processes.
The site’s re-development will streamline information to make it easier to get to – from how to become involved in the community such as volunteering, to accessing resources.
Ms Nelson-Carr said having a high level of public involvement meant policies are developed with the benefit of a range of different opinions and input.
“Community engagement websites such as Get Involved create a stronger public voice in a responsive government,” she said.
“I encourage all Queenslanders to get involved in e-democracy and find out more about government, their communities and to share their views.”
See www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Ms Nelson-Carr said more than 94,000 Queenslanders used the community engagement website Get Involved in 2007-08 to access information about government decision-making and exercise their democratic right by having their say online.
“Making it easier for busy Queenslanders to become involved in government business is critical for the ongoing delivery of quality public policies, programs and services and e-democracy will play an in increasingly important role,” she said.
“Take the recent consultation about smoke-free laws. Of 588 Queenslanders who had their say online, 89% said ‘no’ to smoking in motor vehicles where children under 16 years are present.
“As a result of strong community input on issues like this, the Premier later announced changes to smoking laws in May.”
More than 18,000 people have responded to 38 online consultations in the 2007-08 financial year on issues such as transport, smoke-free laws and altruistic surrogacy.
“The online feedback they provided has been important in informing the development, implementation and evaluation of policies in various departments and across the whole of government,” said the Minister.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the web was a quick and cost-effective way to distribute information and seek input from a broad audience – no matter where they live.
“The Get Involved website visits have increased by 33% over the past year, surging from 63,000 in 2006-07 to 94,000 last financial year,” she said.
“In today’s busy world, many people don’t’ have the time, ability or finances to attend meetings or use traditional contact methods such as the phone because of work, shift and family commitments so the web is an increasingly appealing way of overcoming barriers and engage with government 24/7,” she said.
“You can have a say at a time and place convenient to you – an aspect particularly appealing for rural and remote residents.”
The Get Involved website provides information about how government works, how to contact government and take part in decision-making and other community engagement processes.
The site’s re-development will streamline information to make it easier to get to – from how to become involved in the community such as volunteering, to accessing resources.
Ms Nelson-Carr said having a high level of public involvement meant policies are developed with the benefit of a range of different opinions and input.
“Community engagement websites such as Get Involved create a stronger public voice in a responsive government,” she said.
“I encourage all Queenslanders to get involved in e-democracy and find out more about government, their communities and to share their views.”
See www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280