The NSW Government has announced it will establish Australia’s first whole-of-government data analytics centre (DAC), as part of its ongoing ICT Strategy.
The NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Victor Dominello, announced the plan to establish the centre last month, at the University of Technology Sydney’s Data Arena.
“Whether it’s tackling crime, combatting obesity or addressing housing affordability, we cannot hope to develop solutions to the long-term challenges that our state faces without an effective whole-of-government data sharing platform,” Mr Dominello said.
Data a great asset
“Data is one of the greatest assets held by government, but when it’s buried away in bureaucracy it is of little value.
“Data analytics has been used successfully in jurisdictions like New Zealand, New York City and the State of Michigan to improve the lives of citizens through better targeted and more coordinated government service delivery.”
Public consultation about the new data centre, as part of consultation about the NSW ICT strategy, closed on 17 August and a specialist government steering committee is advising on the establishment of the centre.
The steering committee has been established within the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation to plan the roll-out of the DAC. It is made up of representatives from all government agencies, including NSW Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant, NSW Privacy Commissioner Dr Elizabeth Coombs, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Mary O’Kane, NSW Customer Service Commissioner Mike Pratt and NSW Information Commissioner Liz Tydd.
The DAC will source expertise from research and industry, as well as from NSW government agencies. An industry advisory body will assist in guiding its ongoing work.
