IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Prepared by the IPAA's Submissions Standing Committee under the leadership of Martin Stewart-Weeks, the paper "The Future Course of Modern Government" recognises the need for some fundamental rethinking but not at the expense of replacing existing systems and proven practices.

According to the paper, some of these systems and practices would disappear over time, but there were certain underlying issues of public administration that were perennial challenges which any new public governance and management frameworks had to accommodate.

Industry research firm Ovum has warned the Gillard government to develop a new IT strategic plan in order to remain relevant in 2011.

Ovum research director, public sector, Kevin Noonan, said the political changes of 2010 were likely to cause a shift in the government IT space in the coming year.

“This can provide long-term opportunities for astute IT suppliers, but it means 2011 could be a time of big upheaval in the state government IT market,” Noonan said in a statement.

Today, the federal government released a public discussion paper as part of the development of the Cyber White Paper, which invites submissions from business and the general public on a range of issues regarding the importance of cyberspace to Australia’s social well-being, economic prosperity and broader national interests.

Developing a digital government strategy is a significant and complex challenge for public sector CIOs, but there are some steps you can follow, says Gartner research VP, Glenn Archer.

The process for developing an IT strategy is well understood and is generally seen as an important, if not essential, activity for most organisations and government entities. In contrast, the how and why of developing a digital strategy for government is far less understood.

ICT minister Greg Pearce released the official government ICT strategy, which has been developed in tandem with the state's various new ICT working groups and advisory panels.

"NSW residents expect government to keep up with the times and to be available whenever and wherever they need," The Australian quotes Pearce as saying.

ICT Minister Greg Pearce released the official government ICT strategy, which has been developed in tandem with the state's various new ICT working groups and advisory panels.

The government spends over $2 billion a year on ICT, and the key to the strategy's success, according to Michael Coutts-Trotter, director-general of NSW Department of Finance and Services, will be to make sure it works as a business plan rather than an ICT shopping list.

This will be the task of the NSW Department of Finance and Services which has also been set a deadline of Q4 2013 to “Establish a standard information architecture approach for use across government.” The NSW government’s annual ICT budget is around $A2 billion.

The NSW Government ICT Strategy 2012, also discusses introduction of more mobile applications, opening up delivery of government data in realtime, and development of a private cloud.

The NSW Government is opening an industry consultation process as part of the first annual review of its ICT strategy, launched in March last year.

Minister for Finance and Services, Greg Pearce, today opened three lines of inquiry into the strategy via the state's Have Your Say consultative platform.

Industry inputs will be taken into account as the Government prepares its ICT strategy implementation update for 2013.

New South Wales finance minister Greg Pearce has urged the state's ICT industry to participate in the public consultation on implementation of the government's ICT strategy.

A draft implementation update sets out the progress made in the NSW Government ICT Strategy's seven priority areas since it was launched in 2012 and the priorities for the state in 2013.

Mr Walker, a keynote speaker at the industry’s flagship FutureGov Forum Queensland, says this new ICT action plan lays the foundations for a rigorous public sector, working in tandem with the industry.

The just-released Queensland Government ICT Strategy 2013-2017 offers a comprehensive roadmap to reforms over the next five years.

In early June, the state’s long-awaited comprehensive audit of its ICT systems and processes found that ninety percent of the Queensland Government’s ICT systems were outdated and would require replacement within five years at a total cost of $7.4 billion, as Queensland continues to grapple with the catastrophic outcome of years of “chronic underfunding” into its dilapidated ICT infrastructure.

Mr Walker, a keynote speaker at the industry’s flagship FutureGov Forum Queensland being held Tuesday 17th September in Brisbane, is driving reforms that offer a clearer roadmap to accessing technologies-of-choice, while improving accountability and governance.

IT Minister Ian Walker said the ICT Strategy set the roadmap to ensure the Queensland Government’s IT systems delivered the best results for the community in the most cost-effective way.

“This strategy will ensure Queenslanders will not have to face another debacle like the failed health payroll system which will cost taxpayers $1.25 billion,” Mr Walker said.

In June 2012, the Assistant Treasurer established the Victorian Information and Communications Technology Advisory Committee (VICTAC) and tasked it with overseeing the development of a Victorian Government ICT strategy.

The committee is led by an independent chair and includes representatives from the Victorian Government, the ICT industry, and corporate Chief Information Officers (CIOs).

The Victorian government has announced a 50-point action plan for overhauling the state’s IT.

Speaking at the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) Victoria ministerial forum in Melbourne today, Victoria’s technology minister and assistant treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said the government would initiate a whole-of-government approach to improving processes and creating clearer lines of governance and accountability it said would deliver big cost savings.

Australia has been told it should adopt the UK's “Digital by default” strategy and a “cloud first” strategy for government IT.

The antipodean nation has tiny government debt by the standards of advanced economies in North America and Europe, but local political sensibilities deem budget deficits disastrous and unendurable. Australia's recently-elected government therefore created a Commission of Audit to figure out where future spending spending ought to be directed. That Commission's colossal report was released today, here, and included a number of recommendations about government's use of technology.

The Ministry reports that in the course of the session communication minister Ali Abbasov pointed out that state program E-government will enable to improve transparency when considering appeals from citizens, ensure e-services by state agencies, simplify use of these services by citizens and businesses, allow removal of bureaucratic obstacles and take serious measures in this direction.

Unveiling the strategy, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology (SCICT) said 90 new projects will be implemented during the four-year period.

Speaking at the international press gathering at the recent 'Cisco Networkers 2010' event, Batelco chief executive (Bahrain), Gert Rieder reiterated the company's commitment to the ICT industry in the Kingdom.

Briefing the Central District Council full council meeting recently, Ms Omphitlhetse said government had since embarked on a progressive e-government programme as a way of accelerating the delivery of the national information communication technology policy known as Maitlamo.