OpenAustralia.org is a new website that will help constituents check just what the politicians are saying in Federal Parliament compared with the media grabs and the virtual and printed spin they send around their electorates.
In my own case, I can attest that at this very moment the so-called Ferguson Report is being eaten by snails in my letterbox. I'd much rather use direct sources made accessible by OpenAustralia.org to scrutinise Ferguson's statements (though some of the media grabs are quite telling in themselves: 'We've got to find another Bass Strait...', The 7.30 Report, 21/02/08. Warm that globe, Martin!).
The site lets you do things like search Hansard, peruse the latest debates, look up your local MP, and even be alerted to new parliamentary speeches by MP or keyword. You can also post comments on the site.
It will be interesting to see how this venture pans out. On its face, I think the idea has strong merit. After all, it's one thing for information to be 'available', but quite another for it to be easily and readily available. That's what Web technology can help to achieve. I say good luck to them!
Monday, June 23, 2008
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Comments are most welcome on any of the posts at Northcote Independent. I encourage feedback - positive or negative. Feel free to disagree, but remember that posts are moderated to ensure they are on the topic and in the spirit of open debate, as outlined in my editorial policy.