Earlier input by non-official members could ease problems, an insider says
Non-official members of the Executive Council should take part in policymaking at an earlier stage and sit on a policy co-ordination body currently dominated by officials, says a source close to the government.
The source said it was difficult for non-official members to make an impact on the policymaking process because they could only deliberate on proposals or bills put forward by the government shortly before the plans were unveiled.
'Currently non-official members often receive the papers submitted for Exco discussion on Monday, just a day before Exco meets,' the source said.
'It's too late for unofficial members to give their views at the very final stages. That is why some government policies have sparked a backlash from the community.'
The source cited the scrapping of discounted fares for New Territories taxis in July 2003 in the wake of opposition from drivers, a month after the government introduced the trial concession scheme. It was an example of policy failures resulting from lack of thorough discussion in the Executive Council, the source said.
The source said non-official members should be invited to sit on the Policy Committee, a top policy co-ordination body comprising all principal officials, which formulates and prioritises policies.