In other public sector ICT and digtal news for the 16th of February

• The Federal Government has invested $6.7 million to boost women’s participation in STEM. Women currently occupy only 28% of workers in STEM fields. The funding will extend the Superstars of STEM program, the Women in STEM Ambassador initiative, and the Future You program.  

• The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) have each released guidelines on client identity verification to help prevent criminals from stealing taxpayer identities. The TPB’s Proof of Identity Guidance helps tax practitioners verify their clients’ identities, and the ATO’s Strengthening Client Verification Guidelines helps tax agents navigate online lodgment service software. 

• There was almost perfect attendance at the latest Data and Digital Ministers' Meeting (DDMM). Ministers agreed to increase collaboration on ICT procurement and look for greater ‘cost efficiencies’. Ministers will also continue their work on the latest iteration of the Trusted Digital Identity Framework. The group’s collective priorities in 2022 are:

  1. Delivering a seamless digital identity and verifiable credential experience for citizens

  2. Reforming cross-jurisdictional data and digital platforms, services and protocols

  3. Transforming services around life events 

• Telstra is expanding its offerings for government clients by introducing several new services and a specialist Government team. The new solutions include Sovereign SecureEdge, a cyber security capability, and Cyber Detection and Response, a managed monitoring service. The services are intended to meet the requirements of all levels of government.  

• The CSIRO’s climate risk data platform finally has a launch date. The beta version of the tool, which will offer businesses analytics on climate risk and hazard information, will go live in May 2022. Accenture was contracted to build the platform in July 2021 for $550,000. 

• The South Australian Government has partnered with Salesforce to help the state achieve its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Under the partnership, Salesforce will pilot its Net Zero Cloud combined with artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to deliver the necessary tools for agencies to fight climate change and reduce emissions. The company will establish a staff hub in Adelaide, creating 100 new jobs for the state over the next five years. 

• The Queensland Government has brought KPMG on board to help it expand the state’s spatial digital twin. CSIRO’s Data61 built a prototype for the twin in early 2021, covering Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Further consultations will weigh the costs and benefits of developing a digital twin of south-east Queensland in the future. The Federal Government, NSW and Victoria are all also embarking on digital twins.

International News

• DFAT deploys additional staff to assist with AUKUS ‘disinformation’ counter-measures

• UK health service may shift to integrated care system to develop cyber maturity  

• US education department develops tool to monitor COVID relief fund spending 

• UK health service to launch online service that delivers personalised info for patients 

• New digital government minister for UK Cabinet following ‘mini’ reshuffle 

• US Navy finds provider for $13.4M fiber optic modernisation contract 

• UK to build £4.2m charity grants application portal 

• US revenue service drops facial recognition system 

• US Army awards GDMS $229M to develop hand-help encryption device