Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee Meeting communique 

Date: 18 August 2023 

Members in attendance:

  • Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary, Department of Finance, co-Chair 
  • Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, Secretary, Department of Social Services, co-Chair 
  • Mr Michael Pezzullo AO, Secretary, Department of Home Affairs 
  • Ms Meghan Quinn PSM, Secretary, Department of Industry, Science and Resources 
  • Ms Rachel Noble PSM, Director-General, Australian Signals Directorate 
  • Dr David Gruen AO, Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics 
  • Mr Chris Jordan AO, Commissioner of Taxation, Australian Taxation Office 
  • Ms Rebecca Skinner PSM, Chief Executive Officer, Services Australia 
  • Ms Sarah Chidgey PSM, A/g Secretary, Attorney-General's Department 
  • Mr Chris Fechner, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency 

Apologies: 

  • Mr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission 
  • Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 
  • Mr Greg Moriarty, Secretary, Department of Defence 
  • Ms Katherine Jones PSM, Secretary, Attorney-General's Department 

Proxies in attendance: 

  • Mr Shane Johnson, First Assistant Secretary, Policy Innovation and Projects, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 

Observers: 

  • Dr Subho Banerjee, Deputy Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission 
  • Mr Brenton Philp, Deputy Secretary Markets Group, Department of the Treasury 
  • Ms Mary Wiley-Smith, Deputy Secretary, Business Enabling Services, Department of Finance 
  • Ms Tanja Cvijanovic, Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance 
  • Mr Ramez Katf, Second commissioner and CIO, Australian Taxation Office
  • Mr Nathan Williamson, Deputy Secretary, Department of Finance 
  • Ms Shannon Frazer, First Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance 
  • Ms Ingrid Lundberg, Assistant Secretary, Policy Innovation and Projects, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 
  • Ms Lucy Poole, General Manager, Digital Strategy, Architecture and Discovery, Digital Transformation Agency
  • Ms Lauren Mills, Branch Manager, Digital Strategy, Digital Transformation Agency 
  • Ms Cathy Koch, Director, Secretariat, Digital Transformation Agency 
  • Ms Debbie Martiniello, Assistant Director, Secretariat, Digital Transformation Agency

Data and Digital Government Strategy 

The Committee acknowledged the national and wide-ranging public consultation undertaken and noted the intention to publicly release a what we heard document of responses received. Further, the Committee noted the progress on developing a metrics and measurements framework to measure progress. 

Cross-jurisdictional life events 

The Committee noted the Data and Digital Ministers meeting endorsed the findings of the cross-jurisdictional life events review and agreed to the recommendations. The Commonwealth will lead the implementation of recommendations in collaboration with states and territories. The Digital Transformation Agency will return in 2024 to seek endorsement of the proposed Commonwealth strategic narrative (vision) and identified Commonwealth priorities for a reformed cross-jurisdictional life events program. 

Future of shared services 

The Committee discussed the update on the future of shared services. 

myGov User Audit Government response 

The Committee endorsed taking the high-level summary of the Government’s response to the myGov User Audit to the Secretaries’ Board for consideration to ensure a full APS-wide response is developed. The Committee also endorsed the establishment of myGov as the primary digital front door for Government services and the development of a decision-making framework led by the DTA to support an agreed approach to digital consolidation and alternate front doors. 

Update on digital & ICT planning project 

The Committee discussed the digital & ICT planning project and noted it required further consideration at the next meeting. 

2023-24 MYEFO Digital Investment Overview (DIO) and evaluation progress 

Members noted the progress made on the Digital Investment Overview evaluation along with next steps and acknowledged the value and usefulness of the document which was well-received by members.

Downloadable resource

SDDC Communique 18 August 2023

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