Big changes are coming to the Malcolm Turnbull’s digital transformation agenda, to be unveiled in a speech to the Australian Information Industries Association at the National Press Club today by Assistant Minister Angus Taylor.
Cabinet has signed off on a more aggressive digital agenda and new oversight of Commonwealth ICT, where expected efficiencies in the $5.6 billion annual spend have yet to materialise.
Read more: AU: Key changes in the digital agenda MoG public servants need to know
The federal government will overhaul its $5.6 billion annual outlay on information technology in a bid to cut waste and duplication, after proving the value of the internet to deliver services.
An expanded agency will be given the job of finding “significant efficiencies” across the public service under a cabinet decision to accelerate a digital strategy launched a year ago.
Read more: AU: Push for internet to cut waste in service delivery
Australia has maintained its place as the second-best country for e-government in the biennial United Nations e-government survey.
It took out second place to the United Kingdom — which shot up the ranks thanks to early adoption and a concerted focus on digital by the British government — on both this year’s e-government development index and e-participation index.
Read more: AU: E-participation rising, but UK now beats Australia at e-government
The federal government is aiming to provide a greater level of inclusion and accessibility for staff and citizens, adopting an internationally aligned standard for IT services.
The Australian government has announced it will be adopting an internationally aligned standard for IT accessibility in government, requiring vendors at procurement stage to offer accessible website, software, and digital device services.
Read more: Australia to adopt European standard to make government IT more accessible
Research into the use of digital technology to deliver positive outcomes for the sick and aged will be at the heart of the Flinders Digital Health Research Centre to be launched today.
Based at Tonsley, the centre will be headed up by digital healthcare experts Professor Anthony Maeder and Professor Trish Williams as co-directors.