The ACT has dabbled in social media by trying a series of one-hour Virtual Community Cabinets on Twitter, using the hashtag #ACTVCC. But it is pretty hard to have a meaningful discussion about complex government issues in 140 characters or less – including spaces. Or in single crammed sessions held sporadically.
They have also always sought community input on the makeup of annual budgets.
So it was only a matter of time until they put all these issues together and came up with a better way to harvest meaningful community input into the budgets via social media. And that way is to have a dedicated Facebook page for the ACT Budget.
ACT Treasurer Andrew Barr MLA launched the page last night to very little fanfare. Interesting, given that this is a pretty ‘out there’ move. I’m sure the #Gov2au fans will be very intrigued.
And for Canberra people – you know what you’ve got to do! Get on there and start contributing. Take the Government at their word and give them something to work with. These ideas flourish or fall on the level of support the community themselves give them.
[ED – One wonders what the team at time to talk make of it]