Public consultation

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Public consultation, or simply consultation, is a regulatory process by which the public's input on matters affecting them is sought. Its main goals are in improving the efficiency, transparency^[1] and public involvement in large-scale projects or laws and policies. It usually involves notification (to publicise the matter to be consulted on), consultation (a two-way flow of information and opinion exchange) as well as participation (involving interest groups in the drafting of policy or legislation).^[1]

Depending on the legislation (if applicable legislation exists at all) and the scope of the project, consultation may include all interested parties, or may be restricted to those directly affected by the projects. Whether the legal authorities or project authorities are bound by any of the consultation process is also a matter of local laws.^{[citation needed]}

The process is typical of Commonwealth countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand or Australia,^{[citation needed]} though most democratic countries have similar systems (in the United States, for instance, this process is called "notice and comment"). Some organisations such as the OECD also use such processes.^[1]