The New South Wales Government met with industry leaders and digital experts for a roundtable regarding the future of digital in a move to reboot the state’s digital strategy to ensure it meets the needs of people, communities and businesses across New South Wales.
New South Wales Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Jihad Dib, joined digital experts and representatives from industry and academia to explore new ways to harness technology to improve service delivery, enhance inclusion and boost the economy.
The new State Digital Strategy will reset the digital ambition for New South Wales in the context of emerging technology opportunities and evolving community needs, with the roundtable helping develop the blueprint for digital services and collaboration.
Digital resilience and inclusion, improved frontline services, and harnessing artificial intelligence responsibly are among the key priorities for the new strategy, which will investigate how technology can enable better outcomes for New South Wales residents in focus areas such as frontline services, housing and the environment.
New South Wales is a leading jurisdiction when it comes to digital innovation, particularly in developing a secure Digital Identity for citizens, with the roundtable an opportunity to ensure progress continues to be made.
In an Australian first, New South Wales residents can now renew their Working with Children Check online using verifiable credential technology, setting the foundation for further uses of the technology to make government services and transactions more accessible.
As digital and technology trends continue to evolve, the roundtable will help Digital.NSW capture up-to-date feedback from the sector to inform the new strategy, targeted for release later this year.
Minister Dib said that the roundtable conversation is a valuable opportunity to work with industry experts as the new State Digital Strategy is shaped to best meet the evolving needs of New South Wales communities.
“The strategy is intended to help guide investment to deliver on government priorities and allow more people across the state to benefit from digital initiatives.”
Minister Dib said that as technology evolves, it will also help ensure the New South Wales Government is ready to meet the resulting changes and challenges so that it can continue to deliver safe, resilient services and build a digitally innovative future.
“The digital economy is an important source of employment in New South Wales and a growth sector we are keen to see benefit from a strong focus across the public sector.
“Bringing together industry and academic leaders at today’s roundtable will capture input from experts across the sector and allow us to share the government’s research and thinking.”