Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee communique
Date: 24 February 2023
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
- Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
- 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
- Mr Chris Jordan AO, Commissioner of Taxation, Australian Taxation Office
- Dr David Gruen, Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Mr Chris Fechner, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency
- Ms Rachel Noble, Director-General, Australian Signals Directorate
Proxies in attendance:
- Dr Rachel Bacon, Deputy Secretary, APS Reform
- Mr Justin Keefe, Chief Technology Officer, Department of Defence
- Mr Charles McHardie, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Services Australia
- Mr Jonathan Thorpe, Deputy CEO, Services Australia
Guest presenter:
- Mr David Thodey, myGov User Audit (for myGov User Audit item only)
Data and Digital Government Strategy
Secretary Wilkinson updated the Committee on work supporting development of a Data and Digital Australian Government Strategy. The Strategy will build on the Australian Government’s data and digital transformation journey to date and set out the Government’s expectations of Australian Public Service (APS) agencies in the management and use of data and digital technologies to 2030.
myGov audit outcomes
Mr Thodey updated the Committee on the outcomes of the myGov User Audit following finalisation of the panel’s report (the report). The report delivers findings and recommendations to inform the future design of myGov as an enduring capability that provides proactive, intuitive services for people interacting with government. The next steps for myGov and proposed approach to implementation of the myGov User Audit are under development.
Benefits management realisation
Mr Fechner outlined a proposed approach for managing benefits for digital and ICT projects, designed to provide a better understanding of how digital and ICT investments are performing and provide confidence that these investments remain on track to realise their intended outcomes.
Digital Identity
Secretary Wilkinson provided feedback from the Data and Digital Ministers Meeting consideration of Digital ID and work being undertaken by the Commonwealth to progress the agenda.
National Strategy of Engagement for Cyber and Digital Identity Resilience
Secretary Pezzullo provided an update on the proposed national strategy for the engagement of cyber and digital identity resilience.
GovERP
Secretary Wilkinson outlined the activities to address the immediate next steps for the GovERP Shared Services Program and progress to date. A detailed program of works is under development.
Digital Investment Overview & Integrated Digital Investment Plan
Mr Fechner updated members on the Digital Investment Overview (DIO) the Integrated Digital Investment Plan which provides visibility of Commonwealth planned ICT and digital investments over the long-term.
Assurance traffic light report
Mr Fechner presented key metrics and themes on the health of the digital investment portfolio and the improvements underway to enhance the quality of data used to develop insights.
Strengthening APS longer-term ICT investment planning capability
Secretary Griggs discussed the establishment of an APS in-house consulting function as an initiative under the APS Reform agenda to reduce reliance on external consultants and improve longer-term digital, data and ICT investment planning capability in the APS.