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Democratic Renewal

The best-designed policy in the world is meaningless without a healthy democracy. Democracy is not simply a checklist of institutions such as regular elections or an independent judiciary. Rather than a final destination, democracy should be seen as the task of continually expanding the power of citizens to influence the decisions that affect their lives. The Centre for Policy Development's Democratic Renewal program looks at how Australia can approach that task in new and innovative ways.

Upgrading Democracy

The internet is opening up new opportunities for democratic innovation: increasing access to the information citizens need to scrutinise politics and policy, and making it possible to dramatically widen the circle of inclusion in policy debate. The Centre for Policy Development is hosting an ongoing discussion on how to make the most of these opportunities.

Human Rights

Media, Arts and Culture

Australia and the world

Case Study: Public Sphere as a Gov 2.0 example of Open Government

Senator Lundy and Pia Waugh - founders of the Public Sphere initiative - outline the three pillars of Open Government and how they relate to Gov 2.0. They also present Public Sphere as a Gov 2.0 case study for crowdsourcing policy development.


Foreword - Lindsay Tanner

Minister for Finance Lindsay Tanner outlines his Government 2.0 reform agenda - how to make government smarter, cheaper, and more informed, responsive and engaged.


What is Gov2.0?

What is Gov2.0? It means many things to many people.....how would you define it?


CPD ideas for the Gov2.0 Taskforce: open sourcing policy development?

The open source software world has a lot to teach us about collaborating to produce 'public goods'. Miriam Lyons explores the parallels and flags some ideas on how we can overcome the obstacles to upgrading democracy.


Web2.0 tools for Gov2.0 beginners: a practical guide

Barry Saunders presents a practical how-to-guide for public servants, politicians or community organisers who want to start using Web2.0 tools.


Upgrading Democracy: Opening Doors

How many Australians hate voting, let alone think of taking a more active role in the development of Government policy? Miriam Lyons argues that the most effective form of democratic renewal is for governments to let more citizens through the door to help make the decisions that affect their lives.


Upgrading Democracy: Opening Windows

CPD's Executive Director Miriam Lyons reflects on the difference between stronger Freedom of Information laws and an 'open access' mindset, and argues that it's time to open the windows of government and let some more light into the big house on the hill.


Introduction - Martin Stewart Weeks

Taking off his many hats - including as a member of the Government 2.0 Taskforce - Martin Stewart-Weeks connects the Government 2.0 concept to the bigger challenge of creating new ways to govern.


Case Study: OpenAustralia on Practical Transparency and Gov2.0

Katherine Szuminska, co-founder of OpenAustralia, looks at what transparency means in a Government 2.0 world, and at how to go about implementing it. She draws on the radically transparent approach of OpenAustralia itself as a demonstration of the benefits transparency can bring to those willing to embrace it.


Government 2.0: Crossing or Creating Digital Divides?

Dr Peter Chen, of the University of Sydney, asks 'What social contract lies at the heart of Government 2.0?' He argues that the real question for Government 2.0 enthusiasts is how this approach defines the minimum skill set required to be an effective citizen.


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