AGIMO has Critical Role Leading Gov 2.0 in Australian Government, says Thomler

AGIMO’s role in Gov 2.0 development in Australia should be one of a leader and mentor, believes Craig Thomler, a Gov 2.0 Advocate who also works as the Online Communications Director at the Department of Health & Ageing.

“I think the Gov 2.0 agenda will transform every government agency over time. We need effective leaders, mentors and advisors who can help map the path and manage the culture change process.”

Thomler explains that the establishment of the Gov 2.0 Steering Group will help achieve this.

“AGIMO has been given a leadership role in the co-ordination of Gov 2.0 for the Commonwealth and the Steering Group is supporting this and spreading the seeds to leading agencies”.

The Steering Group will play a “critical” role in driving Gov 2.0, says Thomler.

“I believe that the existence and success of the Steering Group will be critical in building awareness, understanding and adoption of Gov 2.0 thinking at senior government levels”.

AGIMO has already released a series of resources to assist agencies with Gov 2.0 progress, Thomler explains.

“They have an important role providing a central hub for agencies to discuss and collaborate on Gov 2.0 practices and providing whole-of-government resources and tools, such as GovSpace and GovDex”.

And already it is clear that the Steering Group is leading by example, he says.

“The Gov 2.0 Steering Group, led by AGIMO, is practicing what it preaches, by modelling senior level engagement via social media”

“Its minutes are being published publicly. Several other agencies have also begun opening their data for public scrutiny, such as the Treasury recently releasing incoming Ministerial briefs with minimal redaction”.

Craig Thomler will be presenting at CeBIT Australia’s Gov 2.0 Conference on 3 – 4 November at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra.

Joining him will be a group of 20 presenters, including AGIMO’s Peter Alexander, Assistant Secretary, Online Services Branch, presenting case studies and exchanging information about the progress of Gov 2.0 in Australia, the challenges still present and how to move forward with the Gov 2.0 and open government agendas.