Effective and Efficient Use of Information and Communication Technologies by the Australian Government
This chapter outlines Finance’s activities and performance contributing to the outcome, the effective and efficient use of information and communication technologies by the Australian Government. Finance provides policy advice to the government on whole-of-government information and communication technology (ICT) matters and implements government policy and programs. The department provides advice, tools, information and services to help government departments and agencies use ICT to improve their administration and service delivery. Finance also works with governments and other bodies at the local, state, national and international level to simplify services for citizens and reduce duplication. Finally, the department supports the government’s ICT Reform Program, which is making significant changes to the way the government manages ICT.
Finance met the targets for this outcome set out in the 2008-09 Portfolio Budget Statements. In particular, the department successfully implemented key elements of the government’s ICT Reform Program including a review of ICT expenditure across 53 government agencies that identified and returned $570 million in savings to the budget over the forward estimates. Finance made improvements to ‘australia.gov.au’ that have enhanced the government’s online service delivery, established the Government 2.0 Taskforce to develop mechanisms for consulting with the government online, and organised an e-government forum, expo and awards. The department negotiated an agreement with Microsoft for the supply of their products to the government and promoted government ICT careers through apprenticeship and cadetship programs.
For details of Finance’s performance in support of this outcome, see the performance information (Table 8) and the resource statement (Table 9).