Australia’s digital transformation leadership will gather in Canberra on Thursday to explore changes in the Commonwealth’s digital agenda, including a deep-dive look at ICT procurement reform, delivering better government services, and how departments and agencies can maximize innovation opportunities.
The Canberra edition of the Open Opportunity Forum brings together the elite of public service digital transformation with private sector innovators and suppliers.
The event explores not just how government can deliver better services at lower cost, but how these new digital platforms can drive productivity improvements across the economy.
It also delves into how government departments and agencies can prepare for the second phase of the digital transformation being set in place by Assistant Minister Angus Taylor, and how the new arrangements put in place by around ICT procurement will affect their operations.
Mr Taylor is also expected to give more detail on how the new Digital Transformation Agency’s program management office will operate. The forum also looks at how cybersecurity initiatives have been placed at the heart of the both government ICT, as well as industry development.
The timing for the Open Opportunity forum could not be better. It comes as the Commonwealth undergoes its biggest changes in 20 years to the way it buys and implements new technology.
Keynote speakers at the Open Opportunity Forum on Thursday November 24 include:
Angus Taylor, Assistant Minister for Digital Transformation and Cities, will first set the stage with an overview on the changes to the procurement environment and the opportunities these changes present for improving government services.
Mr Taylor has hit the ground running since being appointed to run digital transformation in government within the Prime Minister’s portfolio last February. He has overseen the biggest overhaul of ICT procurement and project management in a generation.
The Australian Government’s first chief digital officer Paul Shetler – who was also inaugural CEO of the original Digital Transformation Office – will also address the forum, bringing extensive experience in delivering on transformation projects across both the public and private sectors.
Mr Shetler has worked on large scale IT and organisational change projects, co-founded and worked at several start-ups, and held leadership roles at large suppliers including Oracle and Microsoft. He also spent time as CDO at the UK Ministry of Justice where he helped deliver four of its exemplar services, as well as a director role at the UK’s Government Digital Service (GDS).
David Hazlehurst, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, has been the main driver of the department’s digital transformation program and is credited with the successful coordination and delivery of the National Innovation and Science Agenda.
Mr Hazelhurst was also the interim chief executive of the DTO when it was set up in in early 2015.
Department of Human Services Chief Technology Officer Charles McHardie oversees the digital service delivery of social welfare and health-related services for the Australian community.
Mr McHardie joined the Human Services in early 2015 after a distinguished career in the Australian Navy. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2011 for services to Naval Warfare and awarded a commendation for distinguished service in 2014 for his Command of Combined Task Force 150.
Other speakers and panellists who will offer their public sector and technology insights are:
- Lynwen Connick, First Assistant Secretary Information Sharing and Intelligence, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Nicholas Gruen, Chairman, Australian Centre for Social Innovation
- Shae Howard, Director, IT and Digital Government; NSW Dept of Finance, Services & Innovation
- Kathleen O’Brien, Industry Principal, Public Sector, SAP Hybris
- Matthew Landauer, Co-Founder OpenAustralia Foundation and former Head of Product, DTO
- Marcus Price, CEO, PEXA
- John-Paul Syriatowicz, Group CEO, Squiz
- Nick Gonios, CEO, 8common
The digital transformation of government services is already picking up momentum. There is increased enthusiasm, excitement and interest around the opportunities that lay ahead.
Join us at the Open Opportunity Forum in Canberra as we sink our teeth into recent developments and the significance of the digital journey to date.
You can view the speaker profiles and full agenda of the Open Opportunity Canberra event here.
Seating is limited. You can reserve your place here.
Do you know more? Contact James Riley via Email.