Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee Meeting communique
Date: 29 June 2023
Members in attendance:
- Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary, Department of Finance, co-Chair
- Mr Matthew Flavel, Acting Secretary, Department of Social Services, co-Chair
- Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Mr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Australian Public Service Commissioner
- Ms Meghan Quinn PSM, Secretary, Department of Industry, Science and Resources
- Ms Katherine Jones PSM, Secretary, Attorney-General’s Department
- Mr Greg Moriarty, Secretary, Department of Defence
- Ms Rachel Noble, Director-General, Australian Signals Directorate
- Mr Chris Fechner, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency
- Ms Stephanie Foster PSM, Acting Secretary, Department of Home Affairs
- Ms Jenet Connell, Acting Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics
Apologies:
- Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, Acting Secretary, Department of Social Services, co-Chair
- Mr Michael Pezzullo AO, Secretary, Department of Home Affairs
- Mr Chris Jordan AO, Commissioner of Taxation, Australian Taxation Office
- Dr David Gruen, Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Ms Rebecca Skinner, Chief Executive Officer, Services Australia
Proxies in attendance:
- Mr Charles McHardie, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Services Australia, Services Australia
- Mr Matthew Hay, Deputy Commissioner, Australian Taxation Office
Observers:
- Ms Mary Wiley-Smith, Department of Finance
- Mr John Shepherd, Department of Finance
- Ms Tanja Cvijanovic, Department of Finance
- Ms Shannon Frazer, Department of Finance
- Mr Shane Johnson, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Mr Wayne Poels, Digital Transformation Agency
- Ms Erin Cockram, Department of Industry, Science and Resources
- Ms Abigail Bradshaw, Australian Cyber Security Centre
Shared Services Transformation Program and next steps
The Committee noted various updates on the Shared Services Transformation Program and agreed to return to the next SDDC meeting with a proposition of the way forward.
Digital Identity
The Committee noted the progress made on the Digital Identity Program.
myGov User Audit Government response
The Committee noted the joint work of the DTA and Services Australia to develop the Government’s response to the myGov User Audit. The Committee agreed for the item to return to the next SDDC meeting to formalise the response to the recommendations.
National Disability Data Asset (NDDA)
The Committee noted the update on the NDDA project, led by the Department of Social Services and overseen by the Disability Reform Ministerial Council. The NDDA will be a national data asset that brings together de-identified data from Australian, state and territory government agencies for research and analysis. The Commonwealth and the states and territories are working together to establish a Multilateral Data Sharing Agreement. All jurisdictions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to supply data into the NDDA, with the first outputs planned to be available in early 2024.
Digital Investment Overview (DIO) Evaluation progress and Digital and ICT planning project
The Committee noted progress on the project to strengthen longer-term digital, data and ICT investment planning capability across the Australian Public Service. Members discussed the common system barriers identified and early focus for improvements to planning and noted the final report will be provided for discussion at the next meeting. The terms of reference for the DIO evaluation and agreed to discuss preliminary observations from this at the next meeting.
Benefits Management Policy
The Committee agreed to provide feedback and endorse this item out-of-session.