Public sector awarded for tech innovation

The winners of the 2017 Public Sector Innovation Awards have been announced.

There were 68 nominations in total, with five winners across five different categories.

Category 3 focused on digital and data, with the maritime arrivals reporting system (MARS) from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources taking out the top prize.

MARS is the first fully online system designed to ensure that incoming vessels meet biosecurity regulations, in order to minimise the risk of pests and diseases entering Australia. This innovative system has been widely embraced by the international shipping industry.

The Judges’ Award for digital-first capability went to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for its development of an online briefing system. This has transformed the way the Department briefs the Prime Minister, breaking down barriers to collaboration by allowing the Prime Minister and his advisors to get information, ask questions and receive answers in real time.

Meanwhile, the Judges’ Award for a finance transformation program went to the Department of Finance. Working towards becoming a truly transformative agency, Finance staff have been challenged to think differently and allowed to build, test and refine new processes and products. By leveraging capability, mobility, new technology and design thinking every day, the Department is changing the way it operates.

Category 1 focused on innovative solutions and was won by the ACT government, while Category 2 involved culture and practice and was awarded to the CSIRO.

The winners were chosen from a shortlist of 12 finalists selected from nominations from across the Commonwealth and ACT public services.

The ACT Division of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and the Public Sector Innovation Network hosted the awards.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/vege

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