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24 August 2017 - Joint Expert Advisory Panel and Officials Group meeting: minutes

Expert Advisory Panel and Officials Group

MEETING MINUTES

Date / time: Thursday August 24, 10am-12:30pm

Venue: Ministry of Education, Bowen Street.

Expert Advisory Panel attendees: Dr Miriam Lips, Fuimaono Tuiasau, Suzanne Snively.

Officials Group participants: Department of Internal Affairs, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Parliamentary Counsel Office, State Services Commission, Statistics New Zealand, Te Puni Kōkiri, and the Treasury.

Independent Reviewer: Keitha Booth

 

Agenda & Topics

1. Welcome Expert Advisory Panel

Apologies noted from Deborah Mahuta-Coyle.

Introduction to Catherine Williams, acting Deputy Commissioner Integrity, Ethics and Standards.

 

2. Feedback on the strategic refresh of OGP

The Open Government Partnership launched a strategic refresh of the Partnership during its Global Summit in Paris in December 2016.

Two themes within the refresh were discussed:

  • Thematic approaches to commitments, and
  • The implementation of a multi-donor trust fund.

The OECD’s draft recommendation for open government was mentioned as it includes a draft framework for open government.

 

3. Welcome Officials Group and introductions

Introduction to new members from:

  • Department of Internal Affairs
  • Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Parliamentary Counsel Office
  • State Services Commission, and
  • Statistics New Zealand

Introduction to Keitha Booth, Independent Reviewer for the Open Government Partnership’s Independent Review Mechanism, for New Zealand’s National Action Plan: 2016-18.

Lillian Grace’s resignation from the Expert Advisory Panel was noted.

 

4. Independent reporting

Keitha Booth discussed the mandate provided by the Open Government Partnership as an Independent Reviewer.

An outline of her approach to gathering evidence was provided alongside a selection of feedback she has received so far from civil society.

Starred commitments or commitments completed in a National Action Plan which the Independent Reviewer deems to be transformative in nature were discussed. The Expert Advisory Panel noted the Reviewer would need to consider whether the definition of ‘transformative’ reflected global or country-specific expectations.

 

5. Quarterly reporting on progress

Progress updates were provided.

  • Commitment 1: Open Budget
    • Milestone 1 has been completed with the report published online in July.
    • Open source budget data has been progressed through alignment with Statistics New Zealand’s open data standards.
    • Commitment 1: Open Budget report
  • Commitment 3: Improving open data access and principles
    • A paper proposing that New Zealand adopt the International Open Data Charter was considered by the Cabinet Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee on 16 August 2017. This followed public consultation on adopting the Charter, and consultation with key government agencies on the paper.
    • Commitment 3: Improving open data access and principles report
  • Commitment 5: Ongoing engagement for OGP
    • Three main findings from the review of the Government Online Engagement Services (GOES) pilot are being considered by the Department of Internal Affairs. These findings include ensuring that there is one key place for government online consultation to be conducted, the need for a range of tools, and the need for consistent standards and practices
    • Consultation on the draft mid-term self-assessment has ended. Feedback from civil society organisations noted progress on the current commitments, but also provided outlines of themes and commitments of interest for the next plan.
    • Commitment 5: Ongoing engagement for OGP report
  • Commitment 6: Improving access to legislation
    • The Legislation Bill was introduced on 20 June 2017 and is waiting for its first reading (note that the first reading will not happen until a new Parliament is formed after the election)
    • Piloting the drafting template with agencies has almost been completed, which will have impacts on the technological solution used and any business impact on agencies.
    • Commitment 6: Improving access to legislation report

 

6. Officials Group – reflection on mid-term assessment and reporting

Officials suggested that in instances where multiple agencies contributed to the mid-term assessment there was an opportunity to streamline processes.

 

24 August 2017 - Joint Expert Advisory Panel and Officials Group meeting: minutes