Australian Prime Minister Hon Tony Abbott says his administration is now “open for business,” while seeking closer ties with the private sector.

With a new cabinet to be announced next week, the federal AU$6 billion spending programme also comes up for closer scrutiny. Plans involve including private sector advisers on a new ICT advisory board.

Among the developments, the Department of Treasury and Finance and the Australian Government Information Management Office are expected to conduct an audit of ICT spend over the last three years.

Earlier, the Coalition outlined its ICT Action Plan. This plan lays the foundations for procurement reforms, and technologies-of-choice at the federal level.

Big data strategy

The Coalition’s ICT agenda involves a review and finalisation of a big data strategy during 2013-2014. This strategy focuses on improving the quality of data. The reach of the government’s Data.gov.au is also expected to be expanded.

Plans involve improving the quality of data to open up information access, and deliver services, as and when needed.

Three designated agencies with high-volume transactions will trial next-generation tele-presence services. This incorporates web-browsing capabilities, in real-time.

Secure cloud services

Plans to migrate secure government data to the cloud are preceded by a series of trials. These trials test the viability of hosted data centre services, while tackling privacy and data sovereignty concerns.

Under steps to create a digitally networked economy, the administration is exploring common standards that enable public and private sector stakeholders to “speak the same language.” These standards lay the groundwork for internationally-accepted communications protocols.

Mobile communications

A 2015 timeline involves a closer look at mobile services. Agencies will report on services that are not available using mobile communications channels, while opening up access to mobile services.

By 2017, more correspondence will go digital, together with hard copy documents as back-up. Moreover, government interactions that reach 50,000 a year will go online. An opt-in option is available for citizens and businesses that want access to secure digital mailboxes.

Compact with business

A new “compact with business” sees the Coalition offering business a “seat at the table.” Policy planners will take a different strategy to building, and nurturing relationships with the business community.

Moves are under-way to strengthen engagement with the Asian region. This enhances business opportunities, and broadens the focus beyond mining to include agriculture and services. Educational ties are being expanded with the Asian region, while boosting Asian language studies in schools.

Government financial management reforms come under the spotlight at the GovCFO Forum Australia 2013 being held Monday 2 December in Canberra.