Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

I am very pleased to join with the member for Menzies and the member for Casey in speaking to this important motion. I want to particularly congratulate the member for Menzies for moving this important motion in relation to the myGov user audit and the broader question of digital government service delivery.

The opposition certainly welcomes the release of the myGov user audit led by distinguished Australian David Thodey AO, a former chief executive of Telstra, a former senior executive at IBM and somebody who brings highly relevant perspectives to these issues. The audit makes the compelling case that myGov, Australia's largest digital authenticated platform, is critical national infrastructure. There is no doubt that the cost-of-living crisis presently facing Australians only increases the importance of an efficient delivery of digital government services including through myGov. It is very important, therefore, that this audit not be allowed to gather dust on the bookshelf of the Minister for Government Services—somebody who, throughout his career, has not shown enormous enthusiasm for the whole notion of customer service. In order to realise the objectives of the audit it would be important that the government deliver an appropriate level of both commitment and financial investment.

I want to start by making the point that the reason we have before us as a parliament and as a nation considerable opportunities to improve and enhance the delivery of digital services is because of the foundational work that the previous coalition government did. Indeed the former coalition government had a very strong commitment to digital transformation and to the delivery of digital services. Under our leadership we launched major features of myGov, including allowing the use of the myGov login to access agency services directly, the introduction of two-factor authentication through the myGov code generator, and of course the launch of the myGov ID. These are important abilities which form the very foundation of myGov.

The audit arrives at, in my view, a measured and appropriate assessment of the work done by the previous government, including the investment of over $200 million in the Enhanced myGov program, making the observation that the previous government's program 'put in place much needed building blocks for a better myGov'. When asked during Senate estimates about whether the current government agreed with the assessment made by the audit about the importance of the investment in myGov made by the previous coalition government, the minister representing Minister Shorten said he gave 'credit where credit is due'. I think that is an appropriately high-minded recognition that some things are about politics, and delivering outstanding government services using digital channels ought to be part of that.

I am aware that the previous speaker made some comments about digital identity. It is very important that the work done by the previous government in relation to digital identity continues to be built upon. We did release an exposure draft for the Trusted Digital Identity Bill 2021, and the intention of that was to commence a policy process under which myGov ID could be used by state government service delivery agencies and the private sector. Unfortunately we've seen a considerable degree of lethargy, bordering on indolence, from the current government in relation to taking this matter forward.

It was interesting to see that the Productivity Commission, in its magisterial report released on Friday, highlighted the importance of continued progress when it comes to digital identity and the very significant productivity and efficiency benefits that can be achieved through the economy-wide use of digital identity. One of the other significant benefits it would deliver is to greatly reduce the risk of citizens or customers becoming the victims of cyberattacks on large corporates, because it would be possible to establish an account with your bank, with your telco and with your insurance company through the use of your trusted digital identity rather than through providing a wider array of individual identity documents.

The prize is very significant for citizens, and I urge the Albanese Labor government to build on the progress that the previous government was making when it comes to digital identity and digital service delivery.

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