David Bennett FACS

As taxpayers we have already paid the government to gather or create information related to its activities, and I believe strongly as a matter of principle that we should be entitled to use that information both to hold the government accountable and to supplement government activities.

However it should not be a goverment prerogative or obligation to select, organise, manipulate or present the raw data. Provided the raw data is freely available to all comers (as on the ABS site), individuals and businesses will step in to turn raw data into valuable information. Some of them will be volunteers and some will do it for profit, and we shall all gain as a result. This is not a "free ride": this is community benefit from private sector activity in an open marketplace.

Yes, there will be costs but these should be tiny compared to the value inherent in the data, and the government should benefit as we all do from the improved use of information, with less duplication and the contribution of more minds.

So: my vote is for the widest possible availability of information in raw form at the minimum possible cost, free if possible, and licence terms that encourage volunteers and businesses to compete in how they analyse and present information for the benefit of us all.