4. Ensure optimal operation and security of infrastructure by developing digital capabilities within state agencies and government trading enterprises, including:
- prioritising development of state privacy and information-sharing legislation that addresses the need to protect information and leverage value from the state’s information and data and, where practicable, aligns with existing Australian privacy laws to enable streamlined information sharing
- establishing a whole of government digital platform that enables the sharing of location-based asset information
- developing a WA Government data management and asset information policy that would include processes and appropriate standards to enable data sharing and analysis that supports improved planning and delivery of new infrastructure and better management of existing assets and embed these in government procurement processes, where applicable
- assigning a centralised lead state agency that is responsible for developing and retaining data science capabilities within government, including developing a comprehensive workforce strategy.
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 4 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
4.8 Progress privacy and responsible information sharing legislation for the WA public sector
4.9 Improve protections of government held personal information of Western Australians by implementing the information classification policy through the Digital Strategy's Safe and Secure priority
4.10 Continue to lead, develop and support whole of government cybersecurity resilience by fortifying WA's visibility of and response to cyber security threats
4.11 Progress the Spatial WA program
4.12 Develop data management and sharing guidelines
4.13 Expand initiatives attracting graduates with digital capabilities to the public sector
5/6 actions on schedule
1/6 actions behind schedule
4.8 On schedule
The WA Government introduced the PRIS legislation to Parliament in June 2024. The Interim Chief Data Officer has also been established to support agencies ahead of the implementation of responsible information sharing reforms under the PRIS legislation.
4.9 Behind schedule
The Information Classification Policy has been updated based on considerations emerging during implementation. A toolkit of guidance materials and templates have been updated to support agencies to implement the Information Classification Policy. The timeframe for implementation of the Policy has been extended to 2026.
4.10 On schedule
Work is progressing towards a cyber security hazard being incorporated into the State's emergency management arrangements, including preparation of a draft State Hazard Plan. A total of 88 government entities are connected to the WA Security Operations Centre. The Cyber Security Unit is extending the hours of operation to 24/7 to improve the cyber resilience of WA Government entities.
4.11 On schedule
The PDP was approved in December 2023 - additional funding allocated from The Digital Capability Fund over 2024/25 - 2032/33 to deliver an Advanced Spatial Digital Twin (ASDT) for WA. This milestone is complete. Program team resources, governance structures and agency resources have been substantively established and working groups have commenced. Procurement of the ASDT technology platforms is ongoing. The Program is exploring the potential for Spatial WA to support delivery of the Infrastructure WA Data Hub and the Digital First Infrastructure Policy.
4.12 On schedule
Implementation updates for this recommendation are contingent on the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing (PRIS) legislation being passed through Parliament. Refer to Action 4.8 for further information regarding the PRIS legislation.
4.13 On schedule
The new whole-of-government Digital Public Sector Graduate Program saw 26 graduates start at 16 participating agencies in February 2024. Advertisement of the 2025 program has commenced and is supported by a range of university and industry attraction activities. Planning for a whole-of-government internship program is expected to commence in late 2024.