In other public sector ICT and digital news for 21 September 2021:

• The NSW government has announced that the digital photo card will be rolled out across the state following successful trials in Western Sydney. The digital identity card will be accessible via the Service NSW app.
• Accenture has begun work on the digital vaccine passport program for the Federal Government. The Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) will replace physical incoming passenger cards and COVID-19 Australian Travel Declaration web forms.
• Former private sector procurement executive Bridget Vallence has been appointed as Victoria's new shadow minister for industry, manufacturing, innovation, digital economy and medical research. Vallence will serve in the new role under Opposition leader Matthew Guy.
• The Australian Government is appealing a Federal Court ruling which allows machines to be recognised as inventors on patent applications. The government argues that the verdict is ‘incompatible’ with the country’s patent laws.
• Boris Johnson, Scott Morrison and Joe Biden have signed the AUKUS trilateral partnership, which will see the three nations extend their collaborations surrounding cyber issues and defence technology.
• The NSW government will use a facial recognition and geolocation app to help trial a seven-day home quarantine program for fully-vaccinated overseas arrivals. The pilot is set to begin at the end of September and will include 175 people.