The Australian Data and Digital Council Meetings 2021

Who is the ADDC?

The Australian Data and Digital Council (ADDC) is a collaborative council from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. It’s made up of ministerial representatives from all Australian states and territories, and New Zealand.

Who are the members?

The ADDC includes representatives from each state and territory, and the Chair represents the Federal Government. In 2021, there were eight meetings.

Attending the first meeting (in February 2021) via videoconference were:

• Senator the Hon Jane Hume, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy
• The Hon Stuart Robert MP (Commonwealth)
• The Hon Victor Dominello MP (NSW)
• The Hon Danny Pearson MP (VIC)
• The Hon Leeanne Enoch MP (QLD)
• The Hon Michael Ferguson MP (TAS)
• Mr Chris Steel MLA (ACT)
• The Hon Dr David Clark (NZ)

The second meeting (in April 2021) via videoconference was attended by:

• The Hon Stuart Robert MP (Commonwealth)
• The Hon Victor Dominello MP (NSW)
• The Hon Danny Pearson MP (VIC)
• The Hon Leeanne Enoch MP (QLD)
• The Hon Stephen Patterson MP (SA)
• The Hon Don Punch MLA (WA)
• The Hon Paul Kirby MLA (NT)
• Mr Chris Steel MLA (ACT)
• The Hon Dr David Clark (NZ)

The third meeting (in July 2021) via videoconference was attended by:

• The Hon Stuart Robert MP (Commonwealth)
• The Hon Victor Dominello MP (NSW)
• The Hon Danny Pearson MP (VIC)
• The Hon Leeanne Enoch MP (QLD)
• The Hon Don Punch MLA (WA)
• The Hon David Pisoni MP (SA)
• Mr Chris Steel MLA (ACT)

The fourth meeting (in August 2021) via videoconference was attended by:

• The Hon Stuart Robert MP (Commonwealth)
• The Hon Victor Dominello MP (NSW)
• The Hon Danny Pearson MP (VIC)
• The Hon David Pisoni MP (SA)
• Mr Chris Steel MLA (ACT)

The fifth meeting (in September 2021) via videoconference was attended by:

• The Hon Stuart Robert MP (Commonwealth)
• The Hon Victor Dominello MP (NSW)
• The Hon Danny Pearson MP (VIC)
• The Hon Leeanne Enoch MP (QLD)
• Mr Chris Steel MLA (ACT)
• The Hon Paul Kirby MLA (NT)

The seventh meeting (in October 2021) via videoconference was attended by:

• The Hon Stuart Robert MP (Commonwealth)
• The Hon Victor Dominello MP (NSW)
• The Hon Leeanne Enoch MP (QLD)
• The Hon Don Punch MLA (WA)
• Mr Chris Steel MLA (ACT)
• The Hon Paul Kirby MLA (NT)

The eighth meeting (in November 2021) via videoconference was attended by:

• The Hon Stuart Robert MP (Commonwealth)
• The Hon Victor Dominello MP (NSW)
• The Hon Leeanne Enoch MP (QLD)
• The Hon David Pisoni MP (SA)
• The Hon Michael Ferguson MP (TAS)
• Mr Chris Steel MLA (ACT)
• The Hon Paul Kirby MLA (NT)
• The Hon Dr David Clark (NZ)

What’s the ADDC’s role?

The purpose of the ADDC is to facilitate and drive smarter service delivery and improved policy outcomes through cross-government collaboration on data and digital transformation.

The Council works to align policies and services across Australia, focusing on:

• Reforming cross-jurisdictional data and digital platforms, services and protocols

• Building public trust and delivering a seamless digital identity experience for citizens

• Transforming government services around life events

The ADDC operates the critical role of data and technology in the governance and development of Australia’s digital landscape.

The ADDC’s first 2021 meeting

The first meeting for 2021 took place on 26 February via videoconference. The following four main areas were discussed:

1. Data in supporting decision-makers – Ministers continued to discuss the role of data and data sharing in supporting decision-makers across jurisdictions to drive the economy and enhance the design and delivery of services. All jurisdictions are also exploring future phases of the National Disability Data Asset to support the National Disability Strategy.

2. Natural disasters – Ministers discussed how data and digital technologies improve the experience of people affected by natural disasters and continue to work together to develop a national multi-hazards service. They aim to streamline public engagement with the government at critical life events and enhance communication through digital channels.

3. Life events – Ministers continue to work together to improve government services around significant ‘life events’.

4. National digital identity – Ministers agreed to further develop the National Digital Identity roadmap to create a consistent approach across Australia and leverage insights across jurisdictions.

For more information, you may like to read the full PMC communication for the 26 February 2021 meeting.

The ADDC’s second 2021 meeting

The second meeting (on 16 April 2021) took place via videoconference. The following three items were discussed:

1. Digital identity – Work is continuing between the Commonwealth, states and territories to create a consistent approach to national digital identity, making it easier for the Australian public to use government services.

2. Vaccination certificates – Ministers acknowledged the Commonwealth rollout of digital proof of vaccination through myGOV and the Medicare Express Plus app. They noted this is a significant step towards re-opening Australia’s economy.

3. Data sharing – Ministers discussed the development of the intergovernmental agreement to support national data sharing between governments. Once settled by ministers, the agreement will be considered by National Cabinet.

For more information, you may like to read the full PMC communication for the 16 April 2021 meeting.

The ADDC’s third 2021 meeting

The third meeting (on 23 July 2021) took place via videoconference. The following three items were discussed:

1. Digital identity – Ministers welcomed release of the Australian Government’s Digital Identity Legislation Position Paper on 11 June 2021 to support the economic and citizen benefits of a national approach to digital identity.

2. Identity resilience – Ministers acknowledged the increase in identity crime and data breaches in Australia. They agreed to develop a nationally consistent approach to victim recovery and remediation services.

3. Protecting government data – Ministers agreed to uphold strict security standards with public data held by governments ensuring privacy, sovereignty, and security controls are in place.

For more information, you may like to read the full PMC communication for the 23 July 2021 meeting.

The ADDC’s fourth 2021 meeting

The fourth meeting (on 13 August 2021), was held via videoconference. The following two areas were discussed:

1. National Data Sharing Work Program – Ministers agreed on a National Data Sharing Work Program, focusing on three priority data sharing areas – natural hazards, waste management, and road safety. Other potential areas such as family violence, Closing the Gap, and veterans’ health were also discussed.
   
   Ministers agreed to advance four cross-cutting initiatives on system reform, including establishing an Australian Data Network and improving data sharing procedures among jurisdictions.

2. Digital Birth Certificates – Ministers agreed to explore possibilities for interoperability of digital birth certificates.

For more information, you may like to read the full PMC communication for the 13 August 2021 meeting.

The ADDC’s fifth 2021 meeting

The fifth meeting (on 24 September 2021) was held via videoconference. The following three areas were discussed:

1. COVID-19 vaccination records – Ministers are working to provide an easy and secure way for citizens to display vaccination status when entering venues to help with easing of restrictions and economic recovery.

2. Home quarantine – Ministers discussed expanding home quarantine trials for fully vaccinated citizens across all jurisdictions. As NSW transitions towards opening international borders, the NSW and Commonwealth governments will launch a home quarantine pilot in Greater Sydney.

3. Vocational Education and Training (VET) Data Streamlining – Ministers noted efforts to modernise the collection, sharing, and use of VET data aiming for near real-time flow and responsiveness to change.

For more information, you may like to read the full PMC communication for the 24 September 2021 meeting.

The ADDC’s sixth 2021 meeting

The sixth meeting (on 11 October 2021) was held via videoconference. The following two areas were discussed:

1. COVID-19 vaccination records – Ministers discussed progress on integrating a person’s COVID-19 vaccination into check-in apps to allow checking-in to venues.

2. Home quarantine technical support – Ministers discussed the home quarantine trial progress in SA, including Commonwealth technical support.
   
   Ministers also discussed the Prime Minister’s announcement to commence seven-day quarantine trials for fully vaccinated overseas Australians wanting to return home.

For more information, you may like to read the full PMC communication for the 11 October 2021 meeting.

The ADDC’s seventh 2021 meeting

The seventh meeting (on 25 October 2021) was held via videoconference. The following two items were discussed:

1. COVID-19 vaccination records – Ministers discussed the progress of recording people’s COVID-19 vaccination status into check-in apps. Also discussed was the development of a solution enabling multiple individuals to share their vaccination status on one mobile device, e.g. when an adult is accompanying a child.

2. Home quarantine technical support – Ministers discussed the progress of home quarantine trials and the Commonwealth’s ongoing support to scale up SA’s home quarantine solutions for other jurisdictions to use.

For more information, you may like to read the full PMC communication for the 25 October 2021 meeting.

The ADDC’s eighth 2021 meeting

The eighth meeting (on 12 November 2021) was held via videoconference. The following five areas were discussed:

1. COVID-19 vaccination records and booster vaccinations – Ministers approved adding vaccination status into the ACT’s Check-In CBR app, and the NT’s Check-In app. Ministers also noted the availability of COVID-19 booster shots for Australians aged 18 and over who have been fully vaccinated for at least six months. Technical solutions for sharing booster status in the check-in apps were also discussed.

2. National Data Sharing Work Program – Ministers reviewed progress of national data sharing priorities and system reforms, as outlined in the National Data Sharing Work Program. The proposed outcomes include safer roads and better government services for those affected by natural disasters.

3. Emergency management and natural hazards response – Ministers agreed to support National Emergency Management Ministers to apply recommendations from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.

4. Person-centred data sharing – Ministers reviewed the pilot phase of the National Disability Data Asset, which aims to improve services for people with disabilities. They endorsed in-principle approaches for the new national data assets linking large human services datasets.

5. Digital identity and inclusion – Ministers discussed the economic opportunities and personal advantages of digital identity and inclusion.

For more information, you may like to read the full PMC communication for the 12 November 2021 meeting.

Salsa Digital’s take

The eight meetings held by the ADDC in 2021 show the Ministers using data and digital solutions to drive economic growth, improve government services, and effectively address and respond to natural disasters and COVID-19 pandemic challenges.

Through data sharing, digital identity and inclusion, the ADDC is committed to leveraging technology to benefit individuals and Australia as a whole. The collaboration efforts across jurisdictions are helping to streamline processes and improve access to services through digital channels.