It was a year ago Digital Transformation agency had moved to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Now it will move to the Department of Finance. Previously, it was under the social service portfolio.
Anthony Albanese, Prime Minster revealed that the machinery of government changed later on Wednesday. It’s just an hour after wearing in his first ministry.
He said in a statement, ‘’ the Department of Finance will gain responsibility for data policy, including the Digital Transformation Agency, as well as de-regulation.’’
On Wednesday night, administrative orders are release. Those orders contain additional detail on the changes, with ‘’ responsibility for data and digital policy and service’’ to transfer to Finance from July 1, 2022.
Though there was no specific or separate orders for the responsibility, however, the newly-appointed financial minister will take charge of the whole government ICT. Orders also show the new Department of Industry, Science and Resources will take responsibility for “national policy issues relating to the digital economy” from PM&C.
Services Australia 2019
In 2015, DTA was initiated with the office in the Department of communication. Since then, it has years of experience in PM&C, Social Services- following the creation of Services Australia in 2019, and again most recently P&MC.The most recent PM&C move in April 2021 coincided with a noteworthy restructure of the agency, which saw it lose its digital delivery responsibilities to Services Australia and the ATO.
It also expected responsibility for the ICT investment approval process, previously known as the ICT two-pass review process, from Finance, with all proposals passing through DTA now.
By assuming less of a delivery role, the DTA is now closer to that of the former Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO), which was house within Finance.
The DTA’s shift to Finance holds the promise of greater clout within government, with Gallagher also the new Minister for the Public Service.