In other public sector ICT and digital news for 19 October 2021:
- Fred Thiele, Transport for NSW’s chief information security officer (CSIO) of three years, is set to step down in November as the agency faces a major cyber security uplift. The recruitment process to find a new CSIO is already underway.
- Former businesswoman Kathryn Fagg has been appointed chair of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) by Science and Technology minister Melissa Price. She replaces David Thodey, whose term as chair came to an end last week.
- Users of the Service NSW app can now access their vaccination certificates via their mobile phones. The addition of digital certificates allows users to check into venues and confirm their vaccination status on one platform.
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a ministerial reshuffle last week, which will see the role of Minister for Industry, Science and Technology split into two separate positions. Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price will now oversee the CSIRO and the Australian Space Agency, while Energy Minister Angus Taylor now heads the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
- Minister for Agriculture and Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud has announced the federal government’s ten-year plan to modernise Australia’s agricultural innovation system, including an initial investment of $2.8 million through Agriculture Innovation Australia.
- NSW Health has expressed interest in releasing an electronic alert system to warn parents when their children are overdue for doctor’s visits, as well as developing an electronic referral management solution for specialist outpatient services.
- Australia’s Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo joined 31 other representatives from around the world in signing a White House ransomware agenda, which seeks to strengthen international diplomacy and resilience in the face of rising cyber threats.