Australia Action Plan Review 2024-2025 – For Public Comment

In 2024, the Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM)The Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) is OGP’s accountability arm and the main means of tracking progress in participating countries. The IRM provides independent, evidence-based, and objective ... published the Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen... Review for Australia’s third action plan. The report provides a technical review of the action plan’s characteristics and the strengths and challenges the IRM identifies to inform a stronger implementation process.

In Australia, the IRM’s findings are summarized below:

Australia’s third action plan includes promising commitments to introduce new legislationCreating and passing legislation is one of the most effective ways of ensuring open government reforms have long-lasting effects on government practices. Technical specifications: Act of creating or r... on automated decision-makingAs governments are increasingly turning to algorithms to support decision-making for public services, transparency and accountability of algorithm use is necessary to minimize their harm and increase ... More by government, political donation transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, and whistleblower protection. The action plan renewed Australia’s engagement in OGP following a period of inactivity and re-engaged the Open Government Forum. However, a short co-creation timeline meant inadequate public engagement, especially with non-traditional and marginalised communities.

The public comment period ended 3 July 2024.