Information and Communication Technology Performance
Finance manages a diverse range of technology to assist the department to achieve its outcomes. In addition to supporting the work of Finance’s business groups, the department provides ICT support for the electorate offices of Senators and Members, supports whole-of-government ICT networks, and manages a number of whole-of-government ICT applications. Finance’s ICT support for electorate offices was discussed in Chapter 6: Outcome 3 – Efficiently Functioning Parliament.
Departmental ICT Support
Finance manages its ICT capability through a mix of in-house services and support services provided under contract by CSG Limited. During 2008-09, the department strengthened its ICT disaster recovery capability by migrating core infrastructure equipment to its facility located in Hume, Canberra. Finance upgraded a number of management applications including its financial management system and workflow management system. The department implemented enhanced spam filtering software, deployed a Blackberry solution to facilitate the mobile communications of Finance staff and undertook planning for a major refresh of the department’s network storage and standard desktop operating environment.
In November 2008, the department conducted its annual survey to assess the satisfaction of Finance’s staff with the ICT services of the department. Staff provided a strongly positive response, with 78 per cent of respondents satisfied with the overall quality of ICT services. Staff indicated a similar level of satisfaction to previous years for Finance’s ICT service desk, education and training, after-hours support and desktop support. When compared to the 2007 survey, staff indicated an increased level of satisfaction with the applications services they received and a lower level of satisfaction with the standard desktop operating environment. Work to improve the standard desktop operating environment is a major priority for the department in 2009-10.
Whole-of-Government Network Services
Finance provides ICT infrastructure services to support Ministers, parliamentary offices and agency heads in Parliament House and throughout Australia. The department provides communications support for whole-of-government and inter-government meetings including those of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and for the continuity of government in the event of a major incident. Finance also manages the Inter-government Communications Network which provides secure communications links between Australian Government offices throughout Canberra.
During 2008-09, Finance upgraded ministerial secure fax equipment, commenced a project to upgrade network cryptographic equipment and developed a secure network to support budget work across government. The department also developed secure video conferencing telepresence facilities as outlined in Chapter 6: Outcome 3 – an Efficiently Functioning Parliament.
Whole-of-government ICT Applications
Finance manages a number of ICT applications and services that support whole-of-government activities. These include ‘australia.gov.au’ which was discussed in Chapter 7: Outcome 4 – Effective and Efficient Use of ICT by the Australian Government; AusTender, the government’s central procurement information system; and the Central Budget Management System which facilitates the government’s budget, financial reporting and cash management processes.
During 2008-09, Finance upgraded elements of the Central Budget Management System to support the government’s Operation Sunlight transparency reforms and to improve the way the system manages and reports financial information.