Digital Government Legislation and Strategy (PNG0015)

Problem/Issue to be addressed The e-government legislation addresses key issues in relation to digitalization of government data and information accessibility. Issues are discrepancies in the areas of,
● Electronic Transaction (IFMS)
● Data Protection and Privacy
● Consumer Protection
● Computer Crimes
● Business Competitions
● Taxation and
● Information Security

Main Objective The e-government legislation guides evidence-based policy aimed to transform Manuel processes of government business to deliver public services more effectively and efficiently by digitizing government service delivery mechanism.

Brief Description of Commitment The Digital Government Legislation provides solutions to address government digital information and systems which the cluster is committed to regulate the use of technological communication devices. It offers new opportunities for more direct and convenient citizen access to government and for government provisions of services directly to citizens through a coordinated integrated approach in which electronic data governance is fundamentally the driver of any digitization process.

OGP Challenge address by the Commitment The cluster commitment enables constructive engagement between government and civil society on issues of legislative openness and citizens participation in the legislative process through e-government processes.

Relevance Briefly describe the way in which this commitment is relevant to further advancing OGP values of access to information, public accountability, civic participation and technology and innovation for openness and accountability. E-government legislation is the enabler to digitizing government electronic information for accessibility in civic space, accountability for transparency and to harness technology and innovation. It provides guidelines and regulations in which government information available must be cautioned when it is accessed. Policy on the e-government gives citizens a certain extent to involve in the government policy formulation process and keeps the government accountable for transparency and service delivery.

Ambition Briefly described the intended results of the commitment and how it will either make government more open or improve government through more openness The e-government legislation provides a road map in which government information is digitized and open to citizens for engagement and accessibility. The result is to have a certain degree when accessing government information and how government services can be delivered according to the policy framework. It also protects government information and restricts information that is not worthy for development purposes.

Milestones Activity Descriptions Start Date End Date

Phase 1: Drafting the Legislation

1.1 Drafting Committee Establish a Drafting Committee with a defined term of reference and work plan & cash-flow April, 2022 End of April, 2022

1.2 Drafting Committee Meetings The Drafting Committee meetings as per the work plan May, 2022 September, 2023

1.3 Drafting and Workshops Draft the E-government Legislation with interval meetings and drafting workshops May, 2022 May, 2023

1.4 Draft Bill Produce the Draft Bill for stakeholder consultations July, 2022 August, 2022

Phase 2: National and Regional Consultations

2.1 Four regional consultations Conduct four regional stakeholder consultations November, 2022 December, 2023

2.2 National Consultation Conduct a National stakeholder consultation February, 2023 End of February, 2023

2.3 Consultation Report Formulate a Stakeholder Consultation Report March, 2023 End of March, 2023

Phase 3: Legal Administrative Process

3.1 Drafting Instruction, NEC Submission and Explanatory Note Formulate the Drafting Instruction, NEC Submission and the Explanatory Note April, 2023 End of April, 2023

3.2 Certificate of Necessary Letter to State Solicitor with necessary attachments to get the Certificate of Necessary June, 2023 End of June, 2023

3.3 NEC Endorsement NEC Policy Submission is made with the CoN and other necessary documents to NEC for its endorsement July, 2023 August, 2023

3.4 Certificate of Compliance Letter to First Legislative Council with NEC Decision No#, CoN, and other necessary documents to the First Legislative Council for the Certificate of Compliance September, 2023 October, 2023

3.5 Enactment of Access to Information Bill into Act Table the E-government Legislation Bill on the Floor of the National Parliament November, 2023 End of November, 2023

"Problem/Issue to be addressed This new technology cluster has a number of issues to be addressed due to our slow advancement in the E-government reforms. These issues include the adaptation of a rapidly evolving international, economic, social, technological and cultural environment. The issue of protecting and advancing democracy, strengthening social and economic development, ensuring environmental sustainability and managing technological challenges in new ways to earn the public's trust.

Main Objective E-Government Policy enables digital government services to transform into an inclusive digital society where all citizens can benefit from the opportunities offered by digital technologies to improve quality of life. The e-Government Policy establishes a policy platform in which a number of legislations, strategies and programs will be derived to enhance the digital transformation system in the country. It also optimizes service delivery that provides universal access to government information and services anytime and anywhere.

Brief Description of Commitment The Commitment focuses on the formulation of the e-Government Policy to establish a policy platform to enhance digital transformation. This commitment is the use of technological communications devices, such as computers and internet, to provide public services to citizens. E-government Policy offers new opportunities for more direct and convenient citizen access to government, and for government provision of services directly to citizens. The Digital interaction between a citizen and the government, between governments and other government agencies, between government and citizens, between government and employees and between government and businesses.

OGP Challenge address by the Commitment The commitment addresses significant challenges of the government in relation to information dissemination, lack of accountability and transparency, bureaucracy and lack of citizen participation in domestic institutions and processes. Moreover, lack of stakeholder involvement, coordination, information sharing, ICT literacy and e-Government awareness are considered to be the major obstacle. The policy presents an opportunity to the ICT Sector for a major transformation in the digital space.

Relevance Briefly describe the way in which this commitment is relevant to further advancing OGP values of access to information, public accountability, civic participation and technology and innovation for openness and accountability. The technological development has turned the government policies and strategies towards e-government. The e-government is considered the primary tool to facilitate the access of the citizen to various services thus the government plans and subsidies shall reach the public through e-government portal.Furthermore, the e-government policy gives easy access to government information and development agendas, keeps accountable when information is readily available and accessible. It encourages more civic participation as technology harnesses information on the government budget and expenditure report.

Ambition Briefly described the intended results of the commitment and how it will either make government more open or improve government through more openness The intended result of the commitment is to improve transparency in the government system and processes. E-government minimizes redundant information flow, helps to eliminate duplication of functions and improves the adherence of public servants to proper government procedures, thereby reducing opportunities for corruption. The E-government has made information from legislative meeting minutes to budget proposals to map-based information available to the public. It also implies that public processes are becoming more transparent, public information is available online and citizens and non-government organizations are encouraged to interact with public administration through new platform-based forms of participation and collaboration.

Milestones Activity Descriptions Start Date End Date

Phase 1: Preparation of the formulating the e-Government Policy

3.1 e-Government Policy Committee Establish a e-Government Policy formulating Committee with a defined term of reference April, 2022 End of April, 2022

3.2 Committee Meetings Conduct Committee meetings to advance the formulation process May, 2022 June, 2023

3.3 Draft e-Government Policy Produce the Draft e-Government Policy through conducting number of meetings and drafting workshops May, 2022 July, 2022

3.4 Regional and National Consultations Conduct four regional and a national consultation September, 2022 October, 2022

3.5 Finalized e-Government Policy Finalize the e-Government Policy November, 2022 January, 2023

3.6 CACC and NEC Submissions Formulate the CACC and NEC Submissions February, 2023 February, 2023

3.7 CACC Endorsement Do a CACC Submission and get endorsement April, 2023 End of April, 2023

3.8 NEC Endorsement Do a NEC Submission and get NEC endorsement May, 2023 End of May, 2023

3.9 e-Government Policy Launched Launched the e-Government Policy in a colorful way September, 2023 September, 2023

3.10 Awareness and implementation Conduct awareness and effectively implement the e-Government Policy October, 2023 March, 2024"

Action Plan Review

8. Digital Government Legislation, Strategy, and Policy

● Verifiable: Yes

● Does it have an open government lens? Yes

● This commitment has been clustered as: Digital Government (Commitments 7, 8, 16 of the action plan)

● Potential for results: Modest

For reference in Papua New Guinea’s 2022-2024 National Action Plan, see Cluster 3, Commitments 3a and 3b.