Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee

Inquiry into Electronic Democracy

Discussion paper, October 2002

[Table of Contents]

Attachment 1

Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee: Terms of Reference for Inquiry into Electronic Democracy

The Committee is requested to report on the opportunities available through the use of new technologies to improve public access to, and participation in, the processes of Parliament and government, including:

Netcasting of Parliamentary proceedings;
Online interactive and collaborative approaches to policy discussion including citizen e-mail and online forums; and
Other technology solutions to promote access and participation;

and to this end consider the core issues of the:

potential impact of new and emerging technologies on the democratic processes of government;
options available to improve democratic processes through the use of such technologies (for example, through electronically enabled voting);
costs and benefits of new technologies that promote e-democracy;
equitable access of all citizens to e-democracy;
legal and regulatory factors; and
educational or social barriers to the implementation of e-democracy -

in order to review and make recommendations on any necessary or desirable amendments to the Constitution Act Amendment Act 1958, the Electronic Transactions Act 2000 and any other relevant legislation to facilitate these opportunities.

The Committee, in undertaking this Inquiry, should also have regard to experiences in other jurisdictions and a number of projects either implemented or currently under way in Victoria, including:

E-mail to and from citizens;
“Have your Say” on www.vic.gov.au; and
Legislation and Hansard Online, and the Parliamentary website (www.parliament.vic.gov.au).

This inquiry has been proposed to examine the above matters with a focus on public participation in democratic and parliamentary processes. It is not intended to examine issues relating to service delivery and government on-line processes, except as they may impact directly on issues of e-democracy.

The Committee is to report to Parliament by 31 December 2002.