WA Government Tech Investment Update

Details

Join us for the WA Government Tech Investment Update with the opening address by Lisa O’Malley on behalf of Hon. Stephen N Dawson MLC.

Greg Italiano GCIO, will provide his update on the WA Government’s Digital Capability Fund, highlighting key digital transformation initiatives reshaping public sector service delivery. With a total of $1.3 billion invested in digital transformation to date, the WA Government is driving significant reform through the Fund—this session will offer industry valuable insights into upcoming partnership opportunities and what’s next on the digital horizon.

Professor Sriram, a fellow of Engineers Australia, will provide insights into Challenging Tomorrows Offer Today, at a time when new technologies and innovation can not only change how products and services are delivered, but transform the entire offering, the offer to government from industry needs to be holistic and outcome focused. As service requests change to outcome requests, new thinking from buyers and suppliers is needed. New technology applications in Police, Health, Transport, and the Environment – to name just a few – are enormous. How to challenge and change your offer and challenge and change your relationship with Government and the benefits offered (from outcomes to ESG, to local jobs, to supply and data security) are some of the gnarly questions for today.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services delivered the biggest reform of emergency public information in Western Australia’s history last year through the Next Generation (Next Gen) Warnings project. The project encompassed a ground-up rebuild of the Emergency WA platform and website, the launch of an Emergency WA mobile app and the implementation of the Australian Warning System to bushfire, cyclone, storm and flood. Hear from Tayissa Sweetlove, Principal Project Consultant at the Department on how the next phase of this world-leading project will see the introduction of a new multi-hazard planning tool, a warnings request app for first responders and translated emergency information.

The morning will conclude with a Speaker Panel Update which brings together all key presenters to discuss how industry can partner with government in digital transformation. The session aims to inspire innovation, provide forward-looking insights and encourage industry participants to propose new solutions for major government sectors. Active audience engagement is anticipated throughout the session with the panel inviting questions from the audience.

Greg Italiano

Government Chief Information Officer

Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Greg Italiano was appointed Government Chief Information Officer in December 2018 and is responsible for leading the Office of Digital Government and its delivery of services across the Western Australian public sector.    

Greg brings 20 years of public sector experience to the position and has previously held senior executive roles in the Western Australian Police Force, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Treasury.  

Greg has a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Politics and Government and is an alumnus of the Australian and New Zealand School of Government Executive Fellows Program. 

Kate Ingham

Assistant Under Treasurer

Department of Treasury and Finance

Kate Ingham is the Assistant Under Treasurer, Procurement Policy, and Strategy, at the Department of Treasury and Finance. Kate was previously the Deputy Director General Advisory Services of the Department of Finance, where she held the role since October 2020.

She has extensive procurement and policy experience across the Western Australian public sector having worked at the State Supply Commission, been a member of the State Tender Review Committee and conducted procurement reviews for the Office of the Auditor General and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. She started her public sector career as a Graduate Officer with the Department of Treasury and Finance and is a member of the Finance Alumni Network.

Kate is passionate about elevating performance by focussing on people. She cultivates talent by developing cohesive work environments that empower and unite teams.

In her spare time, Kate is a keen horse enthusiast and competitive rider. She has eventing experience at National level and has coordinated horsing events across Western Australia.

Kate has a Bachelor of Commerce, Economics and Finance, and Master of Business Administration, Strategic Procurement from Curtin University and is an Alumni of Leadership WA.

Professor Sharath Sriram

Chief Scientist of Western Australia

Professor Sriram, a fellow of Engineers Australia, is a distinguished science and research leader, renowned for creating and delivering breakthrough technologies in the fields of nanoelectronics, sensors, and medical  technologies. His work is primarily focused on translating advanced technology for healthcare applications, effectively bringing science fiction to reality.

Professor Sriram has led and coordinated a $60 million multi-user, interdisciplinary research facility and has led medical device prototyping and scale-up manufacturing initiatives, driving innovation and practical implementation in the medical technology sector.

In addition to his technical and research contributions, Professor Sriram is an active contributor to science policy, with a particular focus on fostering innovation and developing long-term strategies. He is dedicated to supporting early- and mid-career researchers and is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion within the scientific community. Professor Sriram is the current president of the national peak body Science & Technology Australia.

Tayissa Sweetlove

Principal Project Consultant

Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Tayissa Sweetlove is a Principal Project Consultant at the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. She has held multiple media roles at the Department and previously worked as a journalist at The West Australian newspaper.

She has extensive media and stakeholder communications experience and most recently led the Australian Warning System implementation in Western Australia as part of DFES’ Next Generation (Next Gen) Warnings Project.

The Next Gen Project saw a significant refresh of WA’s number one trusted source of emergency information –  the Emergency WA website – as well as the launch of a new Emergency WA app. The app, which has had over 210,000 downloads in less than six months, has several technical features believed to be Australian, if not world firsts.

Underpinning Tayissa’s nearly nine years in the public sector has been a desire to deliver fast and accurate public information to all community members at times of crisis.

In her life outside of day to day work and on-call 24/7 alerts and warnings duties, Tayissa has been involved in Ukrainian dancing for over 30 years, performing across Australia. She volunteers her time to instruct Perth’s teenage and adult Ukrainian dancers.

Tayissa has a Bachelor of Arts (Communications – Journalism) from Charles Sturt University and recently obtained her Prosci Change Management certification.