Office of the Speaker - Media release

eCommittee system to improve access to select committees

5 October 2009

Members of the public can lodge online submissions to select committees following the successful launch of the new ‘eCommittee’ system.

Visitors to www.parliament.nz can now make online submissions on the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill or on the Inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Maori. Pre-prepared submissions can be uploaded, or submitters can type a brief submission in the form provided. All future calls for submissions will include the ability for submissions to be made online.

“The ability for the public to lodge submissions online is one of the key components of the eCommittee system,” Speaker Hon Dr Lockwood Smith said. “This is a significant step forward is making our parliament more accessible to the public, by making it easier for people to have their say,” Dr Smith said.

The eCommittee system aims to make the select committee process more efficient and effective. All of Parliament’s subject select committees will be working with the eCommittee system by the end of 2009, which will bring their processes up-to-date through the use of modern information management practices.

The select committee process traditionally required large quantities of paper with submissions, advice and reports being received in hard copy. The eCommittee system, which was piloted successfully in 2007, streamlines select committee processes by introducing electronic access to committee documents. This means:

• MPs will be able to access committee documents through secure networks in Parliament, and remotely when outside Wellington.

• Members of the public will be able to view publicly-available select committee information and make submissions to select committees using the internet.

• The advice provided to committees by government departments will also become electronically based, ensuring that it is distributed quickly and is easier to access.

Dr Smith said the new system proved itself during the pilot, and had worked well at two initial committee meetings in the current parliament. “The eCommittee pilot was well received by MPs and staff, and showed the system could be implemented successfully. I am looking forward to seeing eCommittee used by all our committees, and benefiting from the increased efficiency the system will offer.”

The online submissions form can be accessed from http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/MakeSub/

ENDS

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