In other public sector ICT and digital news for 2 August 2021:

• NSW Police are considering the use of facial recognition technology to identify attendees of the recent anti-lockdown protests after establishing a taskforce to prosecute the offending protestors.
• NSW Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd has raised concerns about access law compliance after a new report identified poor compliance from government agencies.
• NSW Police will have major influence within the newly-formed Digital Identity Ministerial Advisory Council (DIMAC) after two NSW Police executives join its ranks.
• UK ‘Maude report’ finds that government central functions, including digital, data and technology, require mandates to deliver standards and spending controls.
• According to accusations by the federal Opposition, the federal government has been “wilfully blind” to public sector labour hire and relies too heavily on multinationals.
• The NSW government is making efforts to boost the government digital workforce, planning to employ 200 new digital specialists.
• The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has issued new tips to help public servants get the most out of GovTEAMS.
• The ATO has announced an official February 2022 launch date for the second round of its Senior Executive Talent Development Program. Over 20 federal and ACT senior government executives are set to take part.
• The Department of Defence has issued an impending request for information (RFI) for a small unmanned aerial system (SUAS) requirement.
• The Suburban Land Agency (SLA) has issued a statement to assure clients of the agency’s data protection policy and help them identify legitimate SLA communications. 
• There have been several major appointments within government. The Department of Home Affairs has appointed three new first assistant secretaries, and the Lotterywest board appoints two new commissioners.