Govt uses Google Moderator to get NBN ideas

The Federal Government wants you to tell it how we should use the National Broadband Network (NBN) as part of its Realising Our Broadband Future forum.

Using an online tool called "Open to Your Ideas" and powered by Google Moderator, discussions are now open for comment across five streams: Smart Infrastructure; e-Business; Digital Education; e-Health; and e-Communities.

At time of publication there were 52 ideas submitted by 31 people and 181 votes cast – although many of these were done by the moderator and were quickly rising.

“We are inviting the public to be part of shaping our future vision by suggesting ideas and commenting on other contributions to the Realising Our Broadband Future forum this week,” Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy said.

A welcome video by the minister was also available on the site which stated the forum was sold out.

The forum starts this Thursday and is being held at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Ideas generated through the online tool will be used as part of the discussions during forum streams. Users can review ideas and then vote on which ones they like.

However, from press releases and the website information it is unclear who will decide which topics are to be included in the final discussions at the forum

The event will run over two days with appearances by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, communications minister Stephen Conroy, NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley, and Google's vice president and chief internet evangelist Vinton G. Cerf, among others.

The use of Google Moderator as the technology platform means if you are already signed into a Google service you will automatically be able to post comments. However, if not you will need to sign up or log in to the Google service.

Earlier in the day the Government 2.0 Taskforce released a draft report into its use of Web 2.0 technologies and is seeking comment before submitting a finalised report to the Federal Government. In the report it said agencies must do better and overcome cultural barriers to using Web 2.0 technologies.

Example ideas so far include:

"More support should be provided to SMEs to ensure that they understand that doing business through broadband improves productivity and potential market reach."

"One of the most important considerations with a fast accessible NBN is legislatively protecting and proactively investing in the local Australian local web service industry rather just allowing $$$AUD to flow overseas faster than ever before."

"we must connect up the rural and regional health services to their specialist collegues to improve patient access to specialist care"

"For e-Health to enable the Australian health sector to inter-operate more effectively, to must overcome the current fragmentation and duplication of service delivery and improve access to coordinated care, particularly in rural areas."

Contribute your ideas on the "Open to Your Ideas" site.

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