Government Innovation Showcase Federal

Agenda

Wed 12 Nov 2025

View event details
Digital & Customer ExperienceData, Analytics & AIFuture Ready TechWorkforce, Skills & Capability
8:00AM

Registration

8:00 AM - 8:45 AM (45 mins)

8:45AM
Interactive

PSN Opening/Polling

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM (15 mins)

9:00AM
Ministerial Address

Ministerial Address

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM (15 mins)

9:15AM
Industry Insights

Partner Perspective - Presented by Pure Storage

9:15 AM - 9:35 AM (20 mins)

9:35AM
Keynote

International Keynote

9:35 AM - 10:00 AM (25 mins)

10:00AM
Industry Insights

Partner Perspective

10:00 AM - 10:20 AM (20 mins)

10:20AM
Panel discussion

Executive Panel: Shaping Australian Public Service into 2026 and Beyond – Delivering Connected, Accessible, Customer Centered Services

10:20 AM - 10:50 AM (30 mins)

Chris Fechner
Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency
Jonathon Thorpe
Chief Customer Officer, Services Australia
Gemma Van Halderen
Chief Data Officer, Department of Social Services
10:50AM

Morning Tea/Insight Theatre

10:50 AM - 11:30 AM (40 mins)

11:30AM
Digital & Customer Experience

Track Opening - Welcome From Chair

11:30 AM - 11:40 AM (10 mins)

11:30AM
Data, Analytics & AI

Track Opening - Welcome From Chair

11:30 AM - 11:40 AM (10 mins)

11:30AM
Future Ready Tech

Track Opening - Welcome From Publicis Sapient

11:30 AM - 11:40 AM (10 mins)

11:30AM
Workforce, Skills & Capability

Track Opening - Welcome From Chair

11:30 AM - 11:40 AM (10 mins)

11:40AM
Keynote Digital & Customer Experience

The Emerging 2026 Public Service Priorities: Accelerating Digital Capability, AI, and Maintaining Customer Trust

11:40 AM - 12:00 PM (20 mins)

Jonathon Thorpe Chief Customer Officer, Services Australia
11:40AM

Data, Analytics & AI

Keynote Data, Analytics & AI

Ensuring AI Tools And Capability Are Geared for Good and for All

11:40 AM - 12:00 PM (20 mins)

Paul Hubbard Assistant Secretary/Co-Head of AI CoLab, Department of Finance
11:40AM
Keynote Future Ready Tech

Future Proofing IT: Modernising Legacy Systems

11:40 AM - 12:00 PM (20 mins)

Dr. Michelle Graham Chief Architect/Assistant Secretary, Architecture, Design and Security, Department of Home Affairs
11:40AM
Keynote Workforce, Skills & Capability

Creating a Modern, Flexible and Diverse Workforce

11:40 AM - 12:00 PM (20 mins)

Anna Faithful Deputy Secretary, Skills and Training, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
12:00PM
Industry Insights Digital & Customer Experience

Partner Perspective - Presented by Genesys

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM (20 mins)

12:00PM
Industry Insights Data, Analytics & AI

Partner Perspective

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM (20 mins)

12:00PM
Industry Insights Future Ready Tech

Partner Perspective

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM (20 mins)

12:00PM
Industry Insights Workforce, Skills & Capability

Partner Perspective

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM (20 mins)

12:20PM
Panel discussion Digital & Customer Experience

Digital Delivery 2026: Harnessing the Emerging Opportunities within Digital Innovation

12:20 PM - 12:50 PM (30 mins)

  • Driving digital capability within Health and Education – unpacking strategic priorities for 2026.
  • Overcoming challenges associated with digital delivery – lessons learnt and key considerations for success going forward.
  • Unveiling innovative initiatives in the pipeline: unpacking the next steps to roll out.
Peter Ingram
Assistant Secretary, Digital Services, Department of Education
Brian Schumacher
First Assistant Secretary, Digital Transformation and Delivery, Department of Health and Aged Care
Kristie Bullock
Branch Head, ICT Business & Governance, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
12:20PM
Panel discussion Data, Analytics & AI

Trustworthy AI – Are Your Systems Safe and Responsible? Managing AI Risks in the Public Sector

12:20 PM - 12:50 PM (30 mins)

Melisande Waterford General Manager, Data & Intelligence, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
Andreas Bleich Chief Data Officer/First Assistant Secretary, Data, Research, Strategy and Net Zero Division, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

  • Responsible AI in government: building trust and transparency.
  • Navigating AI governance: frameworks for public sector implementation.
  • Protecting public trust: risk management for government AI.
  • AI safeguards: ensuring accountability in government applications.
  • Ethical AI for public service: balancing innovation and responsibility.
12:20PM
Panel discussion Future Ready Tech

CIO/CTO – 2026.

12:20 PM - 12:50 PM (30 mins)

  • Unpacking the key requirements, skills, and responsibilities involved in the CIO/CTO role moving into 2026 and beyond.
  • The art of navigating multiple technology terrains –keeping pace with ever-changing business demands.
  • Empowering employees and developing the technology workforce required to meet future demands, and prioritising future-oriented skills.
  • Making the right investment decisions amidst competing priorities.
  • The evolving intersection between people and AI/technology, and how to align the two for the greatest efficiency, excellence, and productivity.
Sam Gounder
Chief Information Officer, AUSTRAC
Katische Vinning
Chief Information Officer, Defence Housing Australia
Dimitar Dimitrovski
Chief Information Officer, Fair Work Ombudsman
12:20PM
Panel discussion Workforce, Skills & Capability

Building a Future-Ready Workforce & Reskilling for the AI Era: Developing and Recruiting the Required Skills for 2026-2030

12:20 PM - 12:50 PM (30 mins)

  • What are the key requirements for a future workforce?
  • The evolving public service: how AI will reshape government roles into 2026 and beyond?
  • Capability building and preparing for jobs that don’t exist yet - with an AI lens.
  • The new workforce: Aligning people and AI/technology, - what tasks should stay with people, and which with technology?
  • Upskilling staff for the AI era.
Heidi Madden
Executive Director, Intelligence and Information Systems, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
Katherine Van Gurp
Chief Operating Officer, Australian Federal Police
Karina Rasanen
Director, Workforce Capability, Department of Defence
Thomas Ryan
First Assistant Commissioner, Organisational Transformation, Australian Electoral Commission
12:50PM

Lunch/Insights Theatre

12:50 PM - 2:00 PM (70 mins)

2:00PM
Digital & Customer Experience

Welcome Back From Track Chair

2:00 PM - 2:05 PM (5 mins)

2:00PM
Data, Analytics & AI

Welcome Back From Track Chair

2:00 PM - 2:05 PM (5 mins)

2:00PM
Future Ready Tech

Welcome Back From Track Chair

2:00 PM - 2:05 PM (5 mins)

2:00PM
Workforce, Skills & Capability

Welcome Back From Track Chair

2:00 PM - 2:05 PM (5 mins)

2:05PM
Keynote Digital & Customer Experience

From Design to Impact: Building Digital Government Services with Innovation and AI at the Core

2:05 PM - 2:25 PM (20 mins)

Adam Shain Chief Data Officer/First Assistant Secretary, Digital Solutions Division, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
2:05PM
Keynote Data, Analytics & AI

The Emerging 2026 AI Frontier: Generating a Solid, Progressive ‘Data & AI’ Strategy – And Taking it Through to Execution

2:05 PM - 2:25 PM (20 mins)

Bede Jones Chief Data Officer, Department of Industry, Science and Resources
2:05PM
Fireside Chat Future Ready Tech

Creating the Tech Foundation to Enable Modern Service Delivery: Unpacking 2026 Priorities

2:05 PM - 2:25 PM (20 mins)

Heidi Madden Executive Director, Intelligence and Information Systems, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
Justine Hall General Manager, Customer Experience, IP Australia
2:05PM
Keynote Workforce, Skills & Capability

Bridging the Digital Skills Gap in Government

2:05 PM - 2:25 PM (20 mins)

Jennifer Dobell Chief Operating Officer, Australian Financial Security Authority

  • Thinking differently in workforce planning: differentiating between a role and a skill.
  • Developing digital capability and a tech empowered workforce: practical and successful steps to building the necessary skillsets.
  • Workforce capabilities in tech: overlaying a digital strategy with existing skillsets, understanding required skills, identifying gaps and cross-skilling.
2:25PM
Industry Insights Digital & Customer Experience

Partner Perspective

2:25 PM - 2:45 PM (20 mins)

2:25PM
Industry Insights Data, Analytics & AI

Partner Perspective

2:25 PM - 2:45 PM (20 mins)

2:25PM
Industry Insights Future Ready Tech

Partner Perspective

2:25 PM - 2:45 PM (20 mins)

2:25PM
Industry Insights Workforce, Skills & Capability

Partner Perspective

2:25 PM - 2:45 PM (20 mins)

2:45PM
Panel discussion Digital & Customer Experience

Accelerating Accessibility and Integrating Inclusivity

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM (30 mins)

Gemma Van Halderen Chief Data Officer, Department of Social Services
Adele Marshall Director, Human Centred Design, Department of Health and Aged Care

  • Inclusive by design, accessible by default – revolutionising the approach to ‘no one left behind’.
  • Progressing a customer-centric government and a truly inclusive society though co-design.
  • Expanding the way we think about accessibility.
  • The power of data in delivering connected, personalised services to all citizens.
2:45PM
Panel discussion Data, Analytics & AI

Maximising AI Value in Government and Scaling AI Impact

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM (30 mins)

  • Strategies for achieving meaningful outcomes and return on investment from AI initiatives within the public sector.
  • AI that delivers: ensuring value from public sector implementation.
  • Beyond the pilot: scaling AI impact across government services.
  • Measuring what matters: defining success for government AI projects.
  • AI as a force multiplier: enhancing existing government capabilities.
  • Citizen-centred AI: focusing on outcomes that matter.
Benjamin Lamont
Manager, Technology Strategy and Data, Australian Federal Police
Heather Cotching
Assistant Secretary/ Branch Head, Data, Digital and Analytics, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Eleanor Williams
Managing Director, Australian Centre for Evaluation, Australian Treasury
Katherine Van Gurp
Chief Operating Officer, Australian Federal Police
Jeroen Bolluijt
Sector Innovation Lead, Department of Health and Aged Care
2:45PM
Panel discussion Future Ready Tech

Treating Legacy Debt Whilst Meeting the Tech Challenge: Building A Compelling Business Case in the Tech Arms Race

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM (30 mins)

  • Treating legacy debt while meeting the technology challenge – how do you make good on both?
  • Navigating high storage costs associated with emerging technology – do you pay up or stay behind?
  • The CIO challenge of bringing the frontline narrative to your organisation, then the business narrative.
  • Developing an operationally focused business case that talks to the narrative of government – how can you convince government to invest?
  • Managing the sustainability of your tech stack and solutions – navigating the CFO and CTO relationship.
Thomas Ryan
First Assistant Commissioner, Organisational Transformation, Australian Electoral Commission
Paul Boehme
Assistant Secretary, Capability Development, Attorney-General's Department
Kristie Bullock
Branch Head, ICT Business & Governance, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
2:45PM
Panel discussion Workforce, Skills & Capability

Navigating the Skills Shortage: How Can We Work Collaboratively Across Agencies to Attract and Retain Talent, and Better Utilise Resources?

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM (30 mins)

  • How can we work more effectively and efficiently to refer and share talent across Government?
  • How can we reduce competition and isolation, and increase collaboration?
  • Solving the skills shortage: how can we better utilise resources across government.
  • Attracting and keeping leading edge talent within government.
  • Creating the central mechanism for a talent collaboration in Federal Government.
Sam Gounder
Chief Information Officer, AUSTRAC
Nicola Hinder
Deputy Secretary & Chief Operating Officer, Department of Parliamentary Services
Cristy England
Chief People Officer, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Jenni Pain
Chief People Officer, Australian Financial Security Authority
3:15PM
Industry Insights Digital & Customer Experience

Partner Perspective

3:15 PM - 3:35 PM (20 mins)

3:15PM
Industry Insights Data, Analytics & AI

Partner Perspective

3:15 PM - 3:35 PM (20 mins)

3:15PM

Future Ready Tech

Industry Insights

Partner Perspective

3:15 PM - 3:35 PM (20 mins)

3:15PM
Industry Insights Workforce, Skills & Capability

Partner Perspective

3:15 PM - 3:35 PM (20 mins)

3:35PM
Fireside Chat Digital & Customer Experience

Unlocking and Scaling Digital Identity – Next Steps

3:35 PM - 3:55 PM (20 mins)

Duncan Anderson Assistant Secretary, Digital ID Legislation and Rules Branch, Department of Finance

  • The future of Digital ID in Australian Public Service: creating more seamless, interconnected government services.
  • The expansion of Australia’s Digital ID System: where are we headed over 2026 and beyond?
  • Ensuring a secure, convenient, voluntary and inclusive Digital ID system.
3:35PM
Keynote Data, Analytics & AI

AI: Acquired Insight.

3:35 PM - 3:55 PM (20 mins)

Jennifer Bardsley Assistant Secretary, Corporate and Case Systems, Department of Home Affairs

  • Navigating the emerging AI terrain.
  • Copilot for M365 trial experiences.
  • AI potential to assist interactions with policy and guidelines.
  • AI in corporate applications.
  • Exploring the AI leading edge in other organisations.
  • Harnessing the power of partnerships: working effectively with vendors.
3:35PM
Fireside Chat Future Ready Tech

How To Stay Focused on Improving the End User Experience While Keeping an Eye on Technology Led Enhancements

3:35 PM - 3:55 PM (20 mins)

Yvette Sims First Assistant Secretary, Technology and Finance, Department of Veterans’ Affairs

  • Encouraging technical staff to stay connected with the needs of clients/end users.
  • Prioritising a business led approach to enhancements.
  • Reducing the noise from big tech sales pitches and their impact on senior leaders.
3:35PM

Workforce, Skills & Capability

Fireside Chat

Workforce Strategy for a Digital Workforce

3:35 PM - 3:55 PM (20 mins)

Shannan Quain Branch Manager, Transformation, Australian Digital Health Agency

  • Workforce strategy for a digital workforce: navigating the emerging landscape.
  • The new requirements for workforce planning into 2026 and beyond.
  • Successfully setting up a transformation office.
3:35PM
Industry Insights Digital & Customer Experience

Partner Perspective

3:35 PM - 3:55 PM (20 mins)

3:35PM
Industry Insights Data, Analytics & AI

Partner Perspective

3:35 PM - 3:55 PM (20 mins)

3:35PM
Industry Insights Future Ready Tech

Partner Perspective

3:35 PM - 3:55 PM (20 mins)

3:35PM
Industry Insights Workforce, Skills & Capability

Partner Perspective

3:35 PM - 3:55 PM (20 mins)

3:55PM
Interactive Digital & Customer Experience

Gov Panel/Poll: The Trust Trifecta: Simplicity, Serviceability, and Security. How to Hit the Pinnacle of CX

3:55 PM - 4:30 PM (35 mins)

  • Meeting needs = trust. How do we build and retain a solid connection with the customer?
  • Sense-checking serviceability: How can we become better equipped to understand emerging needs and promptly cater to these?
  • Building a ‘simple’ service experience that meets all customer expectations.
Justine Hall
General Manager, Customer Experience, IP Australia
Shane Worthington
Chief Digital Officer, Australian Skills Quality Authority
Adam Nettheim
Chief Customer Officer, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation
3:55PM
Interactive Data, Analytics & AI

Gov Panel/Poll: Powering Intelligence: Unleashing Analytics and Leveraging Insights for Strategic Decision Making Across the Organisation

3:55 PM - 4:30 PM (35 mins)

  • Assessing information, providing insight and assisting decision makers to make decisions.
  • Building intelligence and strategic decision-making capability across the organisation and within senior leadership.
  • Developing proactivity and harnessing insights to better understand and predict trends/needs.
  • Uplifting knowledge and data management capabilities – removing siloes, leveraging existing systems and interlinking data.
Susie Kluth
Chief Data Officer, Department of Education
Brett Liebich
Assistant Secretary, Operational Intelligence and Coordination Branch, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Melisande Waterford
General Manager, Data & Intelligence, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
3:55PM
Interactive Future Ready Tech

Gov Panel/Poll: Women in Tech: Strengthening Government’s Tech Workforce by Powering Diversity and Inclusion to Progress Capabilities and Challenge the Status Quo

3:55 PM - 4:30 PM (35 mins)

Sharyn Clarkson
Assistant Secretary, Government Digital & Network Services, Department of Finance
Dr. Michelle Graham
Chief Architect/Assistant Secretary, Architecture, Design and Security, Department of Home Affairs
Karen Chapman
Director, Product and Technology Development, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
3:55PM
Interactive Workforce, Skills & Capability

Gov Panel/Poll: Culture and Change Management - 2026.

3:55 PM - 4:30 PM (35 mins)

  • Culture and change management in the AI era: critical considerations, concerns, and emerging priorities leading into 2026.
  • Rethinking ‘Innovation’: micro changes + cultural change = greatest benefit.
  • Creating culture as the foundation and constant for ever-evolving technology change.
  • Managing the ‘people side’ of change management to ensure the change sticks: including people on the journey.
  • Improving employee engagement and wellbeing to enhance culture and deliver better business outcomes.
Jasna Blackwell
Chief People Officer/First Assistant Secretary, Department of Education
Susan McQuillan
Transformation Director, Bureau of Meteorology
Duncan Cambray
Group Manager, Corporate and Engagement Group, Safe Work Australia
Rachael McMahon
Chief People Officer, National Indigenous Australians Agency
4:30PM
Interactive Digital & Customer Experience

End of Track - Highlights & Key Takeaways

4:30 PM - 4:45 PM (15 mins)

4:30PM
Interactive Data, Analytics & AI

End of Track - Highlights & Key Takeaways

4:30 PM - 4:45 PM (15 mins)

4:30PM
Interactive Future Ready Tech

End of Track - Highlights & Key Takeaways

4:30 PM - 4:45 PM (15 mins)

4:30PM
Interactive Workforce, Skills & Capability

End of Track - Highlights & Key Takeaways

4:30 PM - 4:45 PM (15 mins)

4:45PM

Networking Drinks

4:45 PM - 5:45 PM (60 mins)

5:45PM

Event Close

5:45 PM - 5:45 PM (0 mins)

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