Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee communique
Date: 19 October 2022
Members in attendance:
- Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, Secretary, Department of Social Services, Co-Chair
- Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary, Department of Finance, Co-Chair
- Mr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Secretary, Public Sector Reform
- Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Mr Greg Moriarty, Secretary, Department of Defence
- Mr Michael Pezzullo AO, Secretary, Department of Home Affairs
- Ms Katherine Jones PSM, Secretary, Attorney-General’s Department
- Ms Meghan Quinn PSM, Secretary, Department of Industry, Science and Resources
- Dr David Gruen AO, Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Ms Rebecca Skinner PSM, Chief Executive Officer, Services Australia
- Ms Rachel Noble PSM, Director-General, Australian Signals Directorate
Proxies in attendance:
- Ms Jacqui Curtis. Acting Commissioner, Australian Taxation Office
- Ms Lucy Poole, General Manager, Digital Strategy, Architecture and Discovery, Digital Transformation Agency
- Ms Clare Walsh, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
APS Reform
Secretary for Public Sector Reform, Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, outlined that the APS reform program was announced by Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for the Public Service, on 13 October 2022 at the Institute of Public Administration National Conference. It focussed on four key themes including an APS that embodies integrity in everything it does, puts people and business at the centre of policy and services, is a model employer and has the capability to do its job well. Digital and data were highlighted as key to supporting the APS Reform program.
Review of the Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee Terms of Reference and Forward Work Program
The Committee agreed to the Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee (SDDC) Terms of Reference which were revised to reflect the Secretaries Board’s decision to expand the scope of the Committee to include data and appoint the Secretary of the Department of Finance as co-Chair. Amendments to membership, quorum arrangements and meeting frequency (8 weeks) were also agreed.
The Committee also agreed to bring forward items for the 2023 Forward Work Program out-of-session ahead of endorsement by the SDDC at the 23 November 2022 meeting.
Update on the Optus data breach
Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Pezzullo AO provided an update on the Optus breach that occurred on 22 September 2022. The breach included personal identifiable information on millions of Australians and affected multiple government agencies.
The Committee was informed the cyber threat environment for Australia is constantly evolving and agencies were reminded to proactively address cyber security preparedness, learning from the issues arising from the Optus data breach. The Committee noted the work of the first responders in coming together at short notice to contain the threat and support Australians. The Committee thanked Commonwealth, state and territory representatives for their efforts.
Update on the Review of the Privacy Act 1988
Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department, Ms Katherine Jones PSM provided an update on the review of the Privacy Act 1988 and advised the final report will include both immediate and medium-term priorities for reform which are designed to update the scope and coverage for the digital age and provide individuals with greater transparency and control over their personal information.
Australian National Data Integration Infrastructure
Dr David Gruen AO, the Australian Statistician, provided a progress report on the development of the Australian National Data Integration Infrastructure which will provide critical data sharing and integration capability across the Federation.
Strategy for undertaking the myGov audit
Chief Executive Officer for Services Australia, Ms Rebecca Skinner PSM, provided an update following an election commitment, to establish a panel of experts to lead the myGov User Audit. The Committee noted stakeholder engagement activities are scheduled to commence, focussing on improving the user experience and addressing technology and privacy issues.
Digital Investment Portfolio Assurance
The Committee noted the Digital Investment Portfolio Assurance Report presents key metrics and themes across the government’s digital investment portfolio, and members agreed for the report to be further developed out-of-session.
Following an initial discussion, the Committee agreed to convene a separate meeting to discuss the GovERP project in more detail.
Other business
Secretary of the Department of Finance, Jenny Wilkinson PSM, provided members with an overview of the proposed Data and Digital Ministers Meeting (DDMM) agenda for 4 November 2022. It was outlined that the work of the DDMM will continue to be connected through the Secretaries Board and the SDDC to continue to leverage Commonwealth engagement through to the states and territories.