GovTech Weekly News Wrap – 31 July, 2020

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The ACSC releases guidance for govts on safe cloud adoption; NZ unveils “world-first” standards for the ethical use of algorithms. 

Tracking the week that was in digital innovations and developments across Australia and New Zealand’s public sectors.


The ACSC has released guidance on the safe adoption of cloud-based services within government. The document, “co-designed” with industry, provides advice for agencies in conducting risk-informed assessments of cloud services.

 

The WA Government has invited public feedback on a draft Digital Inclusion Blueprint, which will outline strategies to enhance connectivity and improve digital literacy for Western Australians.

 

The DTA is on the hunt for new contractors to further develop the COVIDsafe contact tracing app. The Agency has listed two separate opportunities on its Digital Marketplace for further work on COVIDSafe.

 

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has selected legaltech platform Immediation to support its planning and development dispute resolution hearings remotely during Covid lockdowns. More than 1,000 matters are expected to be heard on the platform in the next three months.

 

The Department of Finance will call upon up to 18 SAP technical specialists to ramp up development of GovERP, the Fed’s whole-of-government enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

 

The New Zealand Government has released a world-first set of standards to guide public sector agencies in the ethical use of algorithms.

 

The WA Government has committed to advancing all 41 recommendations from the Review of Skills, Training and Workforce Development, which focus on preparing the workforce for the digital world, furthering new technologies and creating new futures for displaced workers.

 

WA will also invest $500,000 to install enterprise-grade broadband infrastructure in its Wheatbelt region (the Shires of Merredin, Bruce Rock and Narembeen) through the Digital Farm program. The funds will help to improve access to internet services for farmers in the region.

 

A CSIRO-developed digital student job and internship matching platform, known as Ribit, will be adopted by Stone & Chalk, Australia’s largest tech incubator and impact network.

 

The Queensland Government has deployed “transportable” mobile phone detection cameras across the state in a half-year trial – an effort to stamp out “dangerous and illegal mobile device use while driving”.

 

The NT and Federal Governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost development of the Territory’s space technology sector, supporting the creation of high-tech local jobs and space technologies.

 

The COVID Commission has been rebranded the National COVID-9 Commission (NCC) Advisory Board and re-formed as a strategic advisory body, as the Federal Government directs its focus to economic recovery.

 

The ACCC has filed a legal action against Google over allegations the company failed to gain explicit consent to use and collect personal data for targeted advertising.

 

The Federal Government has opened applications to access a $53 million regional connectivity program funding pot, providing investment opportunities for local telecommunications infrastructure projects, including improvements to mobile connectivity. Carriers and infrastructure providers are eligible to apply for the funding until 20 October.

 

The Australian Rail Track Commission has enlisted Australian enterprise software firm TechnologyOne to “digitally revolutionise” its procurement systems across its national freight network, replacing longstanding manual and paper-based processes.

 

The Australian Government has announced the provision of $88.1 million towards a new world-class disaster centre to fund critical research on bushfires. The research centre will replace the current Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre (BNHCRC) and focus on natural hazard resilience and disaster risk reduction.