Vienna, 2 may 2011

(by Tom Kronenburg)

Austrian Open3.at network and the Danube University Krems organised a questionaire among members of the Australian parliament on the topic of Open Government. 22,95% (42) of all 183 members filled out the questionaire, thus providing a broad overview of opinions on Open Government. You can find the original questionaire, answers and related materials here (all in German).

The press release lists the most important conclusions the researchers have drawn from the questionaire.

• Open Government is a political issue. 67% finds cocreation a important or very important area, transparency is found important or very important by 72% of respondents (although 17% also find it not important). 74% of respondents found that e-participation and the internet are essential. Nevertheless, 14% of respondents are unsatisfied with current tools.
• The biggest chances of Open Goverment are political. Only 12% believes Open Data will strengthen Austria economically. More important are: visualisation of social interaction (41%), evaluation of political and bureaucratic achievements (57%) and understanding of politics by the public (71%) are rated as significantly more important.
• A majority of respondents are in favor of publishing data free of charge (64%), and in full (55%). 31% believes only selected data should be published.
• Open Government data should be governed by new laws, 85% of respondents supports legislation in this field. 45% of respondents believe Austria should have a separate Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Another 40% prefere a legislative framework for open government in the existing laws. Only 12% believe no legislative action is required.

(translation of original press statement)