In other public sector ICT and digtal news for 21 December:

• The Digital Transformation Agency has been trialling digital identity age verification for online alcohol purchases, with plans in the works for similar trials surrounding online gambling.
• The Australian Army is creating an AI prototype for a cognitive services solution to transcribe and analyse radio communications. The prototype solution is based on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform and will include automated speech-to-text and situational awareness abilities.
• The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has recruited US consulting agency McKinsey to review the agency’s processes and systems for $1.2 million. CSIRO hopes this will help it streamline and simplify the agency’s processes ahead of the major cuts to private consulting expected in the next Federal Budget.
• Deloitte will receive a further $1 million to continue working on the updated myGov portal as the platform enters its final beta testing stage. Deloitte has been contracted $41 million over two years to complete the project.
• Australia will establish the Online Safety Youth Advisory Council to consult industry and government on internet safety and regulation. The panel will comprise up to 20 Australians aged between 13 and 24.
• The Federal Government is investing $53.8 million over four years to establish the National AI Centre and four AI and Digital Capability Centres as part of Australia's AI Action Plan. The centre will be based within CSIRO’s Data61 digital branch and aims to further Australia’s AI goals.
• Telehealth will become a permanent fixture of Austrlaia’s health system following its overwhelmingly positive reception from the public following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Government has invested $100 million across four years to provide ongoing telehealth services to the public.