Parliamentary Service

Parliamentary Service

Context

The Parliamentary Service (the Service) provides administrative and support services to the House of Representatives and members of Parliament. This includes research and information services, looking after the buildings and the way they are run, and payment of funding entitlements for parliamentary purposes.

Parliamentary Service E-government Initiatives

• Combine website with other parliamentary agencies

Summary

Ready Access: The Service's website was not assessed by 30 June 2004 as it was being reviewed. The Parliamentary Service provides ready access to its information and services via the portal.

Alignment: The Service uses its website to provide basic information for the public. A single website is intended to be used by the Service, the Speaker's Office and the Office of the Clerk, to make information easier to find by removing the need to know which agency to contact. Other Internet developments will improve Members of Parliament and staff access to information.

Internet and Communications Technology

The Service's website is used to provide general information, some of which is tailored for school students and visitors to Parliament Buildings. The website provides an overview of the people in parliament and some background information about the parliamentary campus.

The Service is working on a project to combine its website with those of the Speaker's Office and the Office of the Clerk. By combining websites, improvements are expected in sharing and accessing information. People would be able to use a single search engine to search for information from all these agencies at once. People should also be more able to find information without having to know exactly which agency to approach.

The external website development will include an improved intranet that is intended to improve information tracking and improve contact management.

The Service is addressing the information needs of Members of Parliament by investigating options to improve Members' access to information using mobile computing.

The Service is considering how it can use opportunities presented by voice and video technology to improve services for Members. These technologies could be utilised to deliver new or enhanced services.

The Service is also looking at options to facilitate access to the Parliamentary Library, and to help manage the 1000 Parliamentary Questions it receives each year.

Ready Access to Information and Services

Metadata

The Service has eight metadata records, which provide access to a range of the agency's information and services. Records are all well written and appropriate for their audience. Links are all working and metadata is up-to-date.

There are some opportunities for the Service to create additional metadata.

Website Assessment

The Service's websites were not assessed, due to a website review taking place at the same time as the assessments.

Alignment With E-government Goals

Convenience and Satisfaction

Many of the Service's IT developments will make information more accessible for the Service's staff and Parliamentary Members.

Integration and Efficiency

Combining the websites of the Service, the Speakers Office and the Office of the Clerk will improve people's access to integrated information. Information will be easier to find using standardised website navigation and 'look and feel' across these agencies.

Participation

The existing website is basic. It was only intended to provide information because the Service does not generally provide services for the public.

People that want to visit Parliament on a tour can find additional contact details on the website.