DTA: gov.au isn't dead, it's resting. Or pivoting, as digi-hipsters say

I know, let's have a secure cloud strategy

Following last year's high-profile Census problems, O'Loughlin said the DTA was contacted by the prime minister's advisor on cybersecurity (Alastair MacGibbon) to develop a secure cloud strategy for the government.

Secure cloud has been a staple of government announcements since Canberra's whole-of-government IT was run by the now-dissolved AGIMO.

However, it's in keeping with another theme that emerged in yesterday's committee hearing: following the departure of founding CEO Paul Shetler last year, and the subsequent restructure of the organisation, its role is mostly advisory.

It's getting involved in all government contracts over $10 million to prepare a report on their current status, risk profiles, costs and timing – all things which duplicate the normal procurement processes.

There's better news out of the DTA's work on user-centred design, O'Loughlin said, having “delivered some exemplar services”.

That's let the agency develop a service standard setting out usability rules in a checklist “that all agencies can use for developing services”.

She told the senate the DTA is still undergoing the review that began after its restructure last year. ®