Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

A new report from the OECD has today recognised the Albanese Government as a world leader in digital government investments – resulting in a more productive public service, better value for taxpayer money, and improved services for the Australian people.

The OECD’s report, Digital Government in Australia: Enhancing Digital Investment, has praised Australia’s policies and strategies as contributing to cost-effective and data-driven investments across government.

The report notes that the OECD “considers the Australian Government to perform as a leader amongst the OCED” on digital investments.

This work, led by the Digital Transformation Agency’s (DTA) through the Investment Oversight Framework (IOF), assists Government to make informed and efficient investments in digital and ICT projects, including:

• Planning and prioritising investments,
• Ensuring that proposals for new spending are robust and accurate, and
• Monitoring and assessing the performance of digital investments over time.

Crucially, the report highlights areas for further improvement and makes suggestions on how Australia’s IOF can be made even stronger.

Much of this work is already underway, including mandating agencies’ use of Digital Investment Plans when making proposals, and investing in public servants’ talent and digital skills to ensure high quality advice.

The OECD’s findings build on Australia’s fifth place ranking in the Digital Government Index, and cements Australia’s position as one of the leading digital governments globally. 

The report is available here.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance and the Public Service, Katy Gallagher:

“I welcome the OECD’s findings that Australia is a world leader in its approach to digital investment.

“Thoughtful and considered investment decision-making has a real impact, not just on the public service, but on all Australians who interact with government online.

“The Albanese Government is committed to delivering better and fairer services for the millions of Australians who rely on digital and frontline services.”