Nine Reasons why Members of Parliament should be online

e-Government is an emerging issue and an increasing number of people are now expecting access to government via new technology. Social Change Online's Mark McGrath gives Nine Reasons why MPs nowadays should be online.

1. Most constituents are already online

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 55% of households have web access. 7% of those who don't have web access at home say that the reason is they have access elsewhere. So the odds are that more than 6 out 10 of a Member of Parliament (MP)'s constituents have web access. Plus youth - the hardest demographic for MP's to reach are the biggest users of the web with over 80% of 18-24 year olds having web access.

Or to put it another way, it's more likely than not that the swinging voter in your electorate will be using the web.

2. It allows an MP to bypass the media

Having a website gives an MP the ability to publish their own news and communicate directly with constituents, rather than having to rely on the media to get a message out. It won't replace the need for local media, but it can provide an extra communication channel.

3. It's ridiculously cheap communication

The web provides a ridiculously cheap way to communicate with constituents. Web pages can be delivered at an average cost of less than one cent per page. Sending an e-newsletter typically costs less than three cents per article.

Compare this with regular mail: where postage costs start at 50 cents per article.

4. It allows MPs to hold an ongoing conversation with your constituents

With a good website MPs can post articles and invite comment, then respond to selected comments. They can also control what public comment appears on their site.

5. It's out there working 24 hrs a day - 365 days a year

While MPs and their staff are away from the office, their website is still out there working, delivering news, collecting constituent feedback, 24 hrs a day - 365 days per year.

6. It gives MPs an extra set of ears to listen to the electorate

The web is a great medium to monitor feedback from constituents. By running polls, forums and survey forms a website can give an MP an extra set of ears to listen to the electorate is thinking on issues.

7. It increases access for constituents

e-Government and access to government is an emerging issue. People are now expecting access to government online. A website increases constituent access to an MP and their office without any loss of personal time their part.

8. It allows an MP to provide a valuable community service

MPs can run a community noticeboard on their site to promote community events in an electorate. This can be a valuable service appreciated by community groups and their members.

9. It can save staff time

Many constituents ask the same questions on issues when making inquiries to an MP's office. In most cases, political staff have to spend valuable time delivering the same answers to these questions over and over again. Running a Frequently Asked Questions section on an MP's site would enable constituents to service themselves, and free up staff to do more valuable work.

Mark McGrath is the Labour Sector Consultant for Social Change Online and a Director of Social Change Media.

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