DATA AND DIGITAL MINISTERS MEETING
COMMUNIQUÉ
22 AUGUST 2025
The following Data and Digital Ministers met today by videoconference:
- Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher (Commonwealth)
- The Hon Jihad Dib MP (New South Wales)
- The Hon Danny Pearson MP (Victoria)
- The Hon Steve Minnikin MP (Queensland)
- The Hon Madeleine Ogilvie MP (Tasmania)
- The Hon Stephen Dawson MLC (Western Australia)
- The Hon Josh Burgoyne MLA (Northern Territory)
- The Hon Judith Collins KC MP (New Zealand)
The Hon Stephen Mullighan MP (South Australia) and Ms Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA (Australian Capital Territory) were apologies for the meeting. The South Australian and Australian Capital Territory governments were represented by officials.
Productivity and Efficiency
All governments are committed to driving the effective use of data and technology to deliver quality government services and ensure public service efficiency.
Ministers noted an update on relevant outcomes from the Economic Reform Roundtable on the importance of improved data sharing, greater use of artificial intelligence, Digital ID, and more efficient and effective delivery of government services.
Collaboration on opportunities to improve public sector productivity and efficiency will be a priority for Ministers in 2026. In particular, Ministers agreed to an Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation workshop being held later this year to support effective AI adoption in the public sector. The workshop will bring jurisdictions together with leaders in emerging technologies and AI to explore practical solutions.
Statutory Review of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022
Dr Stephen King briefed Ministers on the draft findings and recommendations of the statutory review of the Commonwealth Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022.
The effective sharing and use of public data is essential in securing better outcomes through greater productivity and efficiency, and research products and services. Ministers agreed that the statutory review presented an opportunity to reconsider the balance of safe and effective arrangements for sharing public data, and considered the draft recommendations for nationally consistent data sharing arrangements.
More information about the statutory review and the draft findings and recommendations can be found at Statutory Review of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022.
Attributes of ‘trusted’ entities
Reciprocal trust between Commonwealth, state and territory governments is essential for effective data sharing. Ministers agreed the attributes government agencies should demonstrate in order to be considered ‘trusted’ when sharing data. The attributes were provided to Dr King to consider as part of the statutory review.
Digital ID and verifiable credentials
Ministers remain committed to secure, convenient, portable, voluntary and inclusive Digital ID and verifiable credentials. Ministers agreed to drive greater use of Digital ID in the broader economy.
Ministers agreed to continue working to deliver on initiatives under the Digital ID and Verifiable Credentials Strategy and the National Strategy for Identity Resilience, and to support greater use of Digital ID by government agencies.
Birth of a Child
Ministers welcomed the evaluation of the pilot of the Birth of a Child Newborn Enrolment Service, led by the ACT, in collaboration with Queensland and the Commonwealth. This service reduces the administrative burden on new parents when dealing with government agencies following the birth of their child. All Ministers will consider their jurisdiction’s participation in the national rollout of the Newborn Enrolment Service.
Digital Inclusion
Ministers agreed the Commonwealth would consider measures to improve access to free-to-air television services in remote First Nations communities, consistent with the recommendations of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group.
New Zealand is not a party to this communiqué.
Information on the Data and Digital Ministers Meeting, including previous meeting communiqués, can be found at www.finance.gov.au/government/public-data/data-and-digital-ministers-meeting.
