We’ve come a long way since the Office of the National Data Commissioner (ONDC) came into existence in August 2018 with a simple mission to develop and pass the legislation now known as the Data Availability and Transparency Bill (DAT Bill).
ONDC is responsible for improving how public sector data is shared to promote greater use of data, drive innovation, and improve outcomes for citizens. Through enhanced transparency and safeguards around data sharing, the ONDC will build trust with the Australian community on government’s use of data.
The DAT Bill has been through the process of scrutiny and amendments prior to the resumption of debate in 2022. In anticipation of the data sharing scheme commencing in early-mid 2022, my team continues to progress the following exciting transformation programs:
- Dataplace, a whole-of-government data request platform to support Australian Government data sharing, including under the DAT Bill.
- the Data Discovery program, which includes a pilot to develop data inventories for 20 percent of Australian Government agencies, and the development of the Australian Government Data Catalogue to enhance discoverability of Australian Government data.
The Government has announced the appointment of Ms Gayle Milnes as the new National Data Commissioner Designate. The Governor-General will be asked to consider this appointment as a statutory office holder when the Data Availability and Transparency (DAT) Bill passes.
As my time at ONDC comes to a close, I look forward to the future implementation of the DATA scheme and watching the ONDC make the transition from policy development team to a regulator.
Deb Anton