The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) has published an Issues Paper to promote public discussion of the way the Australian Public Service uses and manages information and data.
The paper puts forward a range of reforms, paving the way for a new Data Sharing and Release Act, which the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Digital Transformation, Michael Keenan expects will transform the Australian data landscape.
Mr Keenan said the issues paper foreshadowed the most important reforms in decades to the way the Federal Government used and managed data.
He said the paper outlined the key principles that would guide the framing of the new legislation.
“The reforms will first and foremost look to strengthen the existing safeguards around the management of sensitive and private citizen data,” Mr Keenan said.
“They will also seek to replace the complex web of rules and regulations which currently restrict the release of non-sensitive data, stifling innovation and preventing productivity gains across all sectors of the economy.”
He said greater public access to data would help Governments and industry make more informed and evidence-based decisions when formulating policy.
“Earlier this year, I announced the creation of an independent National Data Commissioner to help improve access to data and oversee the new data-sharing and release framework,” Mr Keenan said.
“Expressions of interest are now open to those who would like to sit on the National Data Advisory Council, to guide the Commissioner in undertaking this valuable work.”
The consultation period on the issues paper closes on 1 August.
The 22-page issues paper can be accessed on the PM&C website at this PS News link.
