Australia's Government 2.0 taskforce has released a draft report that recommends that government agencies and public servants use blogs and online forums to engage with citizens, each other and likeminded professionals around the world.

The Government 2.0 Taskforce Chair, Dr Nicholas Gruen said: “If Government 2.0 is realised, citizens won’t just be consulted by government they’ll actively collaborate with government.” 

“Government 2.0 can draw all those with the enthusiasm, expertise and crucial local knowledge to collaborate in the process of government. 

“By using these technologies and effectively inviting the community into its workings developing policy and delivering services, Government 2.0 lets us improve the myriad ways government activities help our society, our economy and our democracy thrive,” said Dr Guen.

Unless there are strong reasons not to do so, the report calls for public sector information to be released proactively under ‘creative commons’ type licences which invite others to quote, share and transform them without seeking government permission.