In other public sector ICT and digtal news for the 23rd of February:

• Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has announced a Cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of former Education Minister Sarah Courtney. Nic Street will be taking on the role of Minister for Science and Technology. 

• Sydney Trains was an early adopter of cloud, and as such is an exemplar for the NSW cloud-first strategy. It engaged software testing company Tricentis to test upgrades existing systems and test new cloud applications, utilising codeless test automation where possible. The applications tested include Sydney Trains new and  critical internal self-service portal for train crews. The new portal will allow employees to perform multiple work functions in a single location.  

• The Federal Government is in the final stages of appointing a new Director-General for the National Archives. Assistant minister to the Attorney-General, Amanda Stoker told a Senate Estimates hearing that a candidate has been selected to lead the Archives after a ‘global search’ and that the selection had reached final approval stage.  

• The Victorian Government has paused its plans to create a digital marketplace for ICT procurement due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’. The Department of Premier and Cabinet issued an advanced tender notice for the establishment of the Digital Victoria marketplace in January. It has indicated that the halt to the tender process does not alter the fact that the government intends to launch a digital marketplace.  

• The WA Government has released the Digital Strategy Roadmap, which includes 22 initiatives across 12 agencies to help progress service delivery across the state. The Roadmap follows recent allocations from the $500 million Digital Capability Fund, including replacements for WA Health’s legacy HR and payroll systems, rostering systems and nurse placement systems.   

• The Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) has become the first feature of the Federal Government’s Permissions Capability to become a reality. The launch of the DPD comes as Australia reopens its international borders.  

• Australia has signed a low emissions technology partnership with India during the forth India-Australia Energy Dialogue. The two countries will work together to drive down the costs of green technologies. 

International News:

• EU negotiates to set AI standards
• UK Home Office to build centralised data quality platform
• UK Government seeks new chief digital officer
• Deloitte scores £5m to develop GOV.UK ID-verification app
• AU, UK among 8 countries to propose digital ID principals
• US Senators urge Biden to invest $5b to upgrade election cybersecurity
• Five suppliers chosen to help UK Health Service build £15m AI stroke diagnosis tool
• NZ Government seeks feedback on draft transformation plan