Gov 2.0: Google targets public sector

James Riley
Thursday, 17 September 2009 10:37

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

Google Australia arrived in Canberra this week, launching a government ‘best practice’ site and meeting with both sides of politics to brief them on 2.0 engagement tools for the public sector.

After a full day of engagements with politicians and staffers, Google hosted a private function at Parliament House to launch the new site with Stephen Conroy providing keynote duties.

Google Australia public policy chief Iarla Flynn said the site was simply a guide to the tools and best practice for the public sector "to reach, communicate and engage with their communities."

"It's great to see the growing momentum within the public sector to use the web to reach their communities," Flynn told iTWire. “With tools and tips for greater engagement and communication Google for the Public Sector is a good place to start.”

It is understood Google representatives briefed politicians not just on how its tools can used to deliver better Government, but also in engaging with their constituents on a political level.

The site includes case studies, demonstrations, tips and best practice guides for products ranging from YouTube to AdWords to Analytics, Apps and News Alerts.

Since ACT senator Kate Lundy started pressing web technologies through her Public Sphete digital engagement events, the Government 2.0 space has gained extra momentum – and since the launch of the Gov 2.0 Taskforce in June has become fertile ground for the tech industry.

Google Australia has been a player in the political landscape, launching the first election site in 2007 that included various mash-up style applications. And Google clearly has an interest in encouraging Government to embrace 2.0 technologies, and to make more of the data it collects publicly available.

"Our view is that this information should be released quickly, in full, in multiple (open) formats and leveraging available technology solutions (for, example, sitemaps), under permissive and transparent licence terms (like the Creative Commons licence), and generally for free," Flynn wrote earlier this month, outlining Google’s response to the Gov2.0 Taskforce issues paper.

"Government-held information should also be released primarily in raw form. Government should not try to add value or create ‘retail’ consumer experiences – ‘wholesale’ release of data will be quicker, cheaper and more effective."

Senator Conroy said Google had offered its strong support for the NBN roll-out, and noted that the Google Australia headquarters in Sydney could become a centre for innovation not just nationally, but on much broader scale.

"(The NBN) will drive genuine competitive pressure in the telecommunications sector, to the benefit of consumers and businesses that use these services," Senator Conroy said.

"It will form the basis for a generation of innovators – the Googles of tomorrow – and for businesses to drive efficiency and productivity growth."