Premier John Brumby said audio webcasts for all sessions of both the Legislative Council and Assembly have begun and is one of a suite of measures being delivered by the Victorian Government to open up Government and the Parliament to more Victorians.

“When I became Premier, I said I wanted to do more to open up the processes of Government and the Parliament to more Victorians,” Mr Brumby said.

“I have taken action on a number of initiatives to increase public involvement in our strong democracy and webcasting the Victorian Parliament is the latest of these actions.”

The webcasts will be for the entire day’s proceedings of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council and will be available at the Victorian Parliament website: www.parliament.vic.gov.au

Mr Brumby said since 1999, the Victorian Government has introduced many initiatives to make Government and Parliament more open and accountable, including:

• The Annual Statement of Government Intentions: This was released on first sitting day – for the first time informing Victorians of the Government’s legislative priorities for the year;
• Premier’s new website: This website – www.premier.vic.gov.au – is live and provides a valuable entry point into the Victorian Government; the latest information about Government activities and policies and the capacity for the public to provide direct feedback to Government;
• Transcripts of media conferences and speeches: these are now available at www.premier.vic.gov.au for the general public and journalists;
• Greater transparency around Government boards: a new website has been launched giving names of all Victorian public body board members and remuneration bands at: www.publicboards.vic.gov.au
• More public information on ministerial travel:     quarterly reports on Ministerial overseas travel are now on DIIRD website with details of costs: www.diird.vic.gov.au
• Webcasting: funding was provided in the 2008-09 State Budget for audio and video-webcasting of Parliament. Video webcasting will be introduced at a later date;
• Fixed four-year terms: for both the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament;
• Premier and all Ministers of Government to attend Public Accounts and Estimates Hearings;
• Entrenched and strengthened the role of the Auditor General, the Ombudsman, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Office of Policy Integrity; and
• Published details on the internet of all Government contracts worth more than $10 million and headline details of all contracts worth more than $100,000.

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Jenny Lindell MP said: “This is great news for the people of Victoria as it will allow anyone with access to the Internet to listen to parliamentary debate as if it were a radio broadcast.”

President of the Legislative Council Robert Smith MLC said: “This will be an essential tool for the people of Victoria to better understand and be involved in parliamentary process.”