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
Webcast
Partners in Technology
Queensland Government Chief Customer and
Digital Officer (CCDO), Chris Fechner
9 April 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.
220 people participated in the second interactive Partners in Technology webinar on 9 April
2020, which had a focus on:
• Efforts to publish the Queensland Government Covid-19 website
https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/
• Emergency Procurement Guide & Short form contracts
https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/create-ict-contract#emergency
• SME Access Incentive
https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/guidelines-working-smes
• Cyber Security
• Government ICT procurement

3. Key Messages
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: Can you share more information regarding the short form ICT contract?
A1: The short form ICT contract has been created especially for COVID19 response where the
value is less than $500,000 and duration is less than 12 months, contract terms are simple
and straight forward. Further information can be access at:
https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/create-ict-contract#emergency
Q2: What is happening with procurements that have been put on hold?
A2: Where possible, existing procurements are continuing however, due to capacity and
prioritisation, departments have had no choice to pause certain activities.
If you require clarity regarding an ongoing procurement, please contact the agency directly in
relation to the current status.
Following the CCDO’s briefing, a facilitated questions and answers (Q&A) session was
held with the participants. A summary of the key Q&As is provided below

5. Questions and Answers (Continued)
Department of Housing and Public Works 5
Q3: How do we reach out to government to offer services and capabilities?
A3: Please email ICTIndustryEngagement@hpw.qld.gov.au with your offers of assistance
including as much detail as you can share. This information will be shared with key
stakeholders.
Q4: What are the key priorities and capabilities going forward?
A4: Three key themes are Digital Identity, Data Sharing and Digital Transformation.
Capabilities in data aggregation, management and presentation to produce meaningful
scorecards and models and partners in product and agile development continuous delivery
models are continuing to grow
Q5: Solutions have been provided to one particular agency in response to COVID19,
how can that be shared wider across the sector?
A5: Government is working to centralise, coordinate and share offers of assistance. Additionally
forums such as the Chief Information Officer leadership group is meeting weekly, digital and
ICT offers of assistance are promoted through this forum.

6. Questions and Answers (Continued)
Department of Housing and Public Works 6
Q6: How is government responding to COVID19 with open data?
A6: Most datasets produced are personally identifiable so we are not really able to share them. The
Federal government is working towards sharing de-identified data across the country. Where
possible, we will continue to publish data.
Q7: What are you views on the situation with contingent labour (contractors)?
A7: We respect that contingent labour has been impacted by the current crisis due to funding for
projects being re-evaluated in regards to critical priorities. Professional services have also been
affected but to a lesser amount, and this is an unfortunate reflection of the world that we are in
right now. It is not just a local problem, and has been discussed across wider government
jurisdictions.
Q8: How are you supporting the local industry?
A8: We are doing what we can to ensure that after COVID-19 there is a strong ongoing digital and
ICT industry in Queensland. We are purposefully looking at how we can engage with SME’s,
local providers and larger suppliers engaging SME’s. The Minister continues to meet and take
advice from the Ministerial ICT Advisory Council.

7. Thank you
Next PiT Briefing – Thursday, 23 Thursday 2020
ICTIndustryEngagement@hpw.qld.gov.au