NSW earmarks $241 million to streamline ICT shared services

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State government has allocated $241 million for shared corporate support and ICT services under funding unveiled by Minister for Innovation and Regulation, Victor Dominello. Another $17 million is allocated over four years for the flagship Data Analytics Centre.

The NSW government has moved to streamline shared and ICT services under an ambitious $241 million funding package unveiled by the Minister for Innovation and Regulation, Victor Dominello. This funding supports shared corporate and ICT services to a number of government agencies. These include procurement, ICT, human resources, finance, as well as business services. Private providers are being targeted to obtain higher service quality at lower cost.

The administration has also earmarked $17 million over four years to build the capabilities of the flagship Data Analytics Centre. This Sydney-based Data Analytics Centre (DAC) is taking a leadership role with work involving big data, while helping agencies tailor and forecast their front-line services.

Minister Dominello said the goal is to tap into a “world rich with data,” while enabling the DAC to help diagnose and manage problems facing government in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Ten data analytics projects are underway in NSW. These include analysing the call-out rate by NSW Fire and Rescue and the number of false alarms they attend. Analytics is also being used to understand commuter needs in off-peak hour travel time, track buildings at risk from non-compliant cladding, and identify overcrowding involving commercial or residential property.

Whole-of-government data analytics projects harness the power of data to tackle difficult social challenges, Dominello said. The latest funding coincides with the appointment of NSW’s first Government CIO Damon Rees to manage the digital portfolio and map the future of innovation.

In other funding news, $69 million is earmarked to drive whole-of-government strategies that offer “better value service delivery” from ICT across government. Up to $124 million is assigned to enforce fair trading laws, administer licensing regimes, and provide community grant assistance. This funding supports regulatory reform and offers information and assistance to consumers and traders.

A funding package of $418 million will help regulate the functioning of workers compensation insurance, motor accidents compulsory third-party insurance, as well as compensation for home building.