Page 2912 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 13 August 2013

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still have some difficulties with it, particularly the cleansing of the data held in the present chris21 system.

My recollection is that all this was meant to be cleaned up when we migrated the data last time. There is now a question of looking at whether we need a new system. So when we migrate next time, can we get it right? It really is about making sure that when you employ a new system you get the system right. It really is about making sure that when you move the data, and in this day and age we all know the importance of maintaining the integrity of the data, it is important that people can trust the system so that they know they get the benefits that they have accrued and the government knows that they are getting what they have paid for. It will be interesting to see what happens. The committee stated:

The Committee takes the view that the management of employee data is a significant and sensitive part of government responsibilities. It notes the data cleansing project currently being undertaken on data held in the Chris21 system.

And recommendation 18 states:

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government report to the Assembly quarterly on the progress of the ‘data cleansing’ of information held in the Chris21 system until the process is completed.

This is because we have had a number of data systems that the government has not managed well. It is important that we do get this right and it is important that people are able to trust the data in regard to their entitlements.

Under Shared Services Finance, we discussed the issue of Westpac, which is the new provider of territory banking, and the role of Shared Services Finance in in-house printing and electronic publishing. Payment of invoices came up again in respect of whether the government was meeting its obligation and the fact that the ACT public service, through Finance, is developing and maintaining the Oracle e-business suite.

There was one thing that we did discuss in this area in particular. The committee had questions over the government’s micro-credit budget initiative, particularly when we spoke with Women With Disabilities ACT. They were quite welcoming of the decision. Recommendation 17 states:

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government include women with disabilities as a target group for marketing this initiative.

It is very important that we be as inclusive as we can. Those who suffer a disability clearly have enough on their plate without being excluded as a group that have access to build their own independent lives. I think recommendation 17 is worth consideration by the government. (Time expired.)

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, do you wish to have your next 10 minutes?

Mr Smyth: I will hand over to the Treasurer.


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