The New South Wales (NSW) Government in Australia is proceeding with its plans to launch a data marketplace to facilitate data sharing across different government agencies.
Data sharing is a core component of the Government’s digital strategy, announced in May by the state’s Minister for Finance, Services and Property, the Hon Victor Dominello. The intention is to create a secured and controlled ecosystem for data sharing across multiple government agencies, companies and social good organisations.
The NSW Government’s digital transformation strategy with three priorities (‘Customer experience’, ‘Data’ and ‘Digital on the Inside’) and four enablers (‘Technology, ‘Cybersecurity’, ‘Legislation’ and ‘Delivery capability’) is aimed at improving the way the government interacts with citizens by improving customer experiences, data and government process through the use of digital technology. Its ambition is to have 70 per cent of government transactions on digital channels by 2019. The strategy notes that there is no asset more critical than usable, accessible data that enables insights and informs decisions. And says that the NSW Government will unlock the full potential of the data it holds while respecting privacy requirements, and use it to drive data-informed change in legislation, policies and processes
Sydney-based startup, Data Republic, has been selected by the NSW Government to provide the foundation for the new secured data sharing platform for the NSW Government after winning a public sector tender. It will use Data Republic’s Senate platform.
NSW Government chief information and digital officer, Damon Rees, said the Senate platform will provide access to a broad range of datasets in a single, searchable location while ensuring access to shared data sources is managed appropriately against privacy, confidentiality, security and governance criteria.
He added, “Data Republic is an impressive local company and this agreement is a great example of the NSW Government working with our ICT partners to foster innovation and growth. It’s fantastic to see services like these in our own background – proof that NSW can be a global leader.”
Data Republic co-founder and CEO, Paul McCarney, said, “Recognising the importance of share data is a big step in the right direction for NSW as data moves to become the world’s most valuable resource. We hope this partnership will empower other governments and agencies to participate in similar data initiatives, facilitating better interoperability.”
