Dutch cabinet wants internet consultation for proposed bills
The cabinet is to use Internet consultation in drawing up legislation and regulations. This will serve to supplement existing possibilities for asking the advice of those involved.
The cabinet has backed a proposal of Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin for a trial of allowing citizens, companies and interest groups to discuss new regulations via the Internet. It is expected that the first Internet consultations could be held in the preparation of legislation and regulations in the autumn of 2008.
“Internet is an important aide to accelerating the process of disclosure and consultation, organising it better and making it accessible to more people. By involving interested parties more in the preparation of laws, new regulations will be more easily accepted,” predicts the cabinet.
The experiment will be closed and evaluated after two years. It must answer the question “whether and if so, in what way Internet consultation on legislation in preparation can be introduced permanently.” In the trial period, the various ministries will request advice on a limited portion of the laws and regulations.
Source: NIS News, 18 December 2007
