‘An objective of the Australian Government's e-government policy is to enhance closer citizen engagement. Through the use of new technologies, agencies are engaging more widely with the public through online policy information, feedback and consultation. Online consultation provides opportunities to enhance and compliment traditional consultation mechanisms and generate better policy outcomes.’ AGIMO, Better Practice Checklist

The agreement represents a minimum value of AUD $10m over the next five years.

Chancellor George Osbourne announced almost £1.2 billion in funding cuts to local government across the country last week. The cuts in services will be particularly hard as town halls will not be able to raise extra funding through council tax, which the Chancellor has frozen for a year.