Open Government Partnership Phase 1

- Absolutely. BCSD Australia strongly supports the working group's focus on public participation and engagement. Public involvement is not just a democratic ideal but a pivotal element in achieving sustainable development. It ensures that policies are not only transparent but also tailored to the needs and insights of the community, thereby enhancing their effectiveness and acceptance
- The theme of public participation and engagement is both timely and essential. It aligns well with global sustainability goals, particularly SDG 16*, which aims for peace, justice, and strong institutions. In an era where trust in public institutions is waning, this focus can serve as a cornerstone for rebuilding that trust and fostering a more inclusive society.

- The key issues hindering effective public participation include a lack of awareness among citizens about how to engage and contribute, and limited or inaccessible platforms for such engagement. Additionally, there is often a disconnect between policymakers and the public, exacerbated by bureaucratic red tape and a lack of transparency in decision-making processes.

- To enhance public participation, the government could implement digital platforms that allow for real-time feedback on policy proposals. Additionally, annual public forums could be organized at various levels of government to discuss key issues and potential solutions. Businesses can contribute by sponsoring these platforms and forums, ensuring they are accessible and widely publicized.
- Introduce a "Citizen Budget" initiative, like what has been implemented in countries like Brazil and Canada, where citizens can directly allocate a portion of the municipal budget to projects of their choice.

- The impact can be quantitatively measured through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as citizen satisfaction rates, the number of public submissions received on policy proposals, and engagement metrics on digital platforms. Qualitatively, the quality of public discourse and the implementation rate of public suggestions into policy could serve as indicators.
- Utilize blockchain technology to create a transparent and immutable record of public participation activities, thereby enhancing accountability.

- Australia could learn from the U.S.'s use of open forums and town halls that allow for direct citizen engagement with policymakers. The U.K.'s use of citizen juries, where a diverse group of people are informed and consulted on policy issues, also offers valuable insights. Canada's multi-stakeholder dialogues, which include representatives from government, business, and civil society, could serve as another exemplary model.
- Also, the use of AI-driven should not be discounted as an emerging stakeholder engagement platforms to capture a broader range of opinions and data analytics for more informed decision-making.

- Absolutely, BCSD Australia wholeheartedly supports the focus on enhancing integrity within both the government and corporate sectors. Integrity is the bedrock upon which public trust is built, and it's crucial for the functioning of a healthy democracy and a sustainable business environment.

- One pressing issue is the lack of transparency in lobbying activities, both in government and corporate sectors. This lack of transparency can lead to undue influence and corruption, undermining public trust. The root cause is often the absence of stringent regulations and disclosure requirements around lobbying activities.

- One specific action could be the implementation of a comprehensive, publicly accessible registry for all lobbying activities. This would include who is lobbying, on behalf of whom, and the outcomes of these activities. This action aligns with the principles of transparency and accountability and could be a joint initiative between government and the corporate sector, including NGOs.
- Adopt a "Whistle-blower Protection Program" similar to the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which provides legal protections to employees who report unethical or illegal activities.

- The impact of improved integrity could be measured through a variety of indicators, such as reduced corruption rates, increased public trust as measured through surveys, and higher levels of compliance with lobbying disclosure regulations. Additionally, the number of investigations or penalties related to integrity issues could serve as a negative indicator.
- Introduce a "Corporate Integrity Index" that ranks companies based on their adherence to ethical practices and transparency. This could be a joint initiative between the government and the corporate sector. It could be even more robust if it also included environmental and social governance (ESG) metrics, which are increasingly central to sustainable development.

- Countries like Denmark and New Zealand, which consistently rank high in integrity and transparency indices, employ robust anti-corruption measures and have strong ombudsman systems. Closer to home, the New South Wales Integrity Commission serves as a good model for investigating, exposing, and preventing corruption involving public authorities and officials.

Public trust, including within Australia’s diverse communities, is essential to maintaining a strong and robust democracy. Transparency and accountability, 2 key features of open government, build public trust and enhance democratic resilience and inclusion. Harm is caused to individuals, communities and Australia where citizens are misled and mis/dis-information is amplified. Democratic resilience, inclusion and social cohesion are necessary to build stronger communities. These outcomes are supported where electoral processes are fair, disinformation is exposed, and Parliament holds government to account and legislates for the benefit of all citizens.
- Yes, BCSD Australia fully supports the working group's focus on strengthening democratic processes. A robust democracy is essential for sustainable development, and it is crucial to build public trust through transparency and accountability.

- One emerging issue is the spread of disinformation, particularly through social media platforms. This undermines public trust and can distort democratic processes. The cause is multifaceted, involving both domestic and external actors exploiting the openness of digital platforms.

- Implement a national digital literacy program aimed at educating the public on how to discern credible information from disinformation. This aligns with the principles of transparency and inclusive participation, as it empowers citizens to make informed decisions.
- Implement "Ranked-Choice Voting" as seen in countries like Australia and Ireland, to ensure that elected officials have a broader base of support.

- The impact could be measured through indicators such as voter turnout rates, levels of public trust in institutions as gauged through surveys, and the prevalence of disinformation campaigns as monitored by watchdog organizations.
- Use "Social Cohesion Metrics" to evaluate the level of trust and cooperation within communities, as is done in some Scandinavian countries.

- Countries like Finland and Estonia have robust digital literacy programs that have been effective in combating disinformation. Additionally, Germany's use of transparent algorithms for news curation could serve as a model. Within Australia, the Victorian Electoral Commission's efforts to engage with multicultural communities offer valuable insights into inclusive participation.
- Also, a stronger focus on corporate governance and ethical business practices, which are core to BCSD Australia's mission, is something we have raised earlier.
- By focusing on these key areas, Australia can significantly enhance its democratic resilience, aligning well with BCSD Australia's mission to foster sustainable development through transparent governance and informed citizen participation.

- To strengthen the co-creation process, BCSD Australia suggests implementing a multi-stakeholder approach that includes representatives from government, business, NGOs, and civil society. Regular virtual town halls could be organized to update the public on the progress and to gather real-time feedback.
- Consider adopting a "Deliberative Democracy" approach, like Ireland's Citizens' Assembly, where a diverse group of citizens are selected to deliberate on specific issues and provide recommendations. This could be a part of the multi-stakeholder approach and would add depth to the public consultation process.

- In addition to government agencies and corporate sector representatives, BCSD Australia recommends including academic experts in governance and sustainability, representatives from indigenous communities, and youth organizations. Sector-specific NGOs and think tanks should also be consulted for specialized insights.
- Include representatives from technology companies and data scientists who can provide insights into leveraging technology for open governance. This is a practice seen in Estonia, which is a global leader in e-governance.

- While the survey is a good starting point, BCSD Australia believes that more interactive and ongoing methods of engagement, such as webinars and workshops, would provide a more comprehensive opportunity for consultation.
- Introduce a "Public Comment Period" like the U.S. Federal Register, where the public can comment on each specific commitment proposed in the draft plan. This allows for more targeted feedback and is a standard practice in the United States.

- The co-creation process could benefit from a more iterative approach, where draft commitments are refined through multiple rounds of public consultation. This would ensure that the final National Action Plan is both ambitious and achievable, aligning well with the principles of open government.
- Implement a "Sandbox" approach, where certain commitments can be tested on a smaller scale before full implementation. This is a practice seen in the UK's Financial Conduct Authority and allows for real-world testing of policies. The "Sandbox" approach could be expanded to include a multi-stakeholder model involving businesses, NGOs, and academia, aligning with BCSD Australia's mission for collaborative governance.