Summary and Q&As from Chris Fechner, Queensland Government Chief Customer and Digital Officer's presentation to the Queensland Digital Industry at the COVID-19 Partners in Technology briefing.

1. Queensland Digital Industry Interactive
Webinar
Partners in Technology
Queensland Government Chief Customer and Digital Officer,
Chris Fechner
27 March 2020

2. Key Messages
Department of Housing and Public Works 2
During the COVID-19 response, the Partners in Technology forum will be used as the key
mechanism for Queensland Government to engage with Queensland’s digital and ICT
industry and to share its key ICT, Digital and Data priorities.
The Queensland Chief Customer and Digital Officer will host fortnightly briefings which will
include a key address and a facilitated Q&A session with participants.
160 people participated in the first interactive Partners in Technology webinar where the
CCDO outlined Queensland’s current digital priorities:
• Cybersecurity
• Digital Identity and Solutions
• Scaling up Connectivity and Capacity
• Better information sharing between agency borders and with citizens and with industry
to maintain essential government services.

3. Key Messages continued
Department of Housing and Public Works 3
The CCDO encouraged all participants to continue to engage with government on digital
and ICT matters via the following channels:
• Events and Briefings: Partners in Technology Webinars (Fortnightly)
• Email: Share questions, ideas, challenges and offers of assistance by emailing
ICTIndustryEngagement@hpw.qld.gov.au
• Online : Queensland Government ICT online resources at:
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/science-it-creative/ict

4. Questions and Answers
Department of Housing and Public Works 4
Q1: Is this virtual PiT a sign of the Queensland Government leveraging digital
technology in a much broader sense?
A1: Government is looking at new ways of doing things and increasing the use of
existing technology capabilities but in expanded capacities.
Q2: How is procurement changing to reflect the current situation?
A2: Queensland procurement teams are working to introduce changes to accelerate
onboarding, procurement and contract management. Details will be shared at the
next PiT briefing.
Q3: What is the government doing to support local businesses?
A3: Across government we are actively working to ensure that where possible, we
support our local partners and businesses.
Following the CCDO’s briefing, a facilitated Questions and Answers (Q&A) session
was held with the participants. A summary of the key Q&A’s is provided below

5. Department of Housing and Public Works 5
Q4: How can we (the partners) get involved and apply our expertise?
A4: To keep up to date with our key priorities and requirements, continue to participate in the live
fortnightly webinar. A copy of the webinar and Q&A will be published following each webinar
Q5: Will the ICT Category Council be revived?
A5: It is still operating, and we are looking at ways to leverage it further
Q6: Do you think there will be changes in the context of capex and opex?
A6: There has already been a trend toward opex with a reduced focus on capex, during the
current pandemic situation there are changes in both. The long-term trend may continue to
a shift on opex, but it is difficult to say.
Q7: What can new and innovative partners do if they are currently not on any supply
arrangements
A7: Options are being considered to open the panels to new suppliers. I hope to share an
update of these on this at our next PiT.
Questions and Answers

6. Thank you
Next Interactive PiT Webinar: 9 April 2020
Email: ICTIndustryEngagement@hpw.qld.gov.au