![Data is at the heart of today’s government services. This is reflected in the federal government’s Data and Digital Government Strategy (the Strategy), which highlights its goal to use data, analytics, and technology to deliver simple, accessible services for people and businesses by 2030. As noted in the strategy, Australians expect personalised, integrated, and easy-to-use services from government entities they engage with. Such personalisation, especially across digital channels, is heavily dependent on data. Delivering such services becomes more effective when the data is more accurate and up-to-date. This is where real-time data comes into play. Why? Real-time data is more accurate because it is always up-to-date. This, in turn, improves the customer experience by enabling services to be more dynamic and interactive. However, because batch processing still accounts for the majority of data processing in government ranks, even the most recent data may become outdated when used to deliver government services. Engage with data in motion Batch processing is when the processing and analysis happen on a set of data that has already been stored for a period of time. This may be days, weeks, or even months, which just doesn't cut it for delivering dynamic and interactive citizen services. In recent years, data streaming has emerged as the technology that allows organizations to tap into their data in real-time in order to improve citizen engagement and experience. Event streaming, another name for data streaming, describes the continuous flow of data as it occurs. This enables true real-time processing and analysis for immediate insights. Streaming data distinguishes itself from batch processing by delivering the most up-to-date information when required. Apache Kafka, one of the most successful open source projects, is used by over 70% of Fortune 500 companies today and is well recognised as the de facto standard for data streaming. The open-source nature of Kafka lowered the entry barrier for working with streaming data, allowing companies to easily build use cases and solutions. However, as with all open-source software, there are limitations. Companies often end up spending more to efficiently manage, scale, secure, and evolve the streaming infrastructure. Why are we still using batch processing if data streaming is the future? Batch processing is still simpler to implement than stream processing, and successfully moving from batch to streaming requires a significant change to a team’s habits and processes, as well as a meaningful upfront investment. That is why Confluent has rearchitected Kafka to create a complete platform that provides a fully managed, cloud-native data streaming solution with the ability to turn data events into outcomes, enable real-time apps, and empower teams and systems to act on data instantly. Personalised for the people Confluent’s ability to utilise data as a continually updating stream of events rather than discrete snapshots means that public sector organisations can leverage data streaming to improve citizen engagement by offering personalised, data-driven services and insights. Confluent’s data streaming platform also enables real-time monitoring and analysis of government services and infrastructure, allowing public sector entities to quickly respond to critical events such as natural disasters or public health emergencies. At a more mundane level, Confluent supports data sharing and collaboration among government agencies, facilitating the seamless exchange of information to serve the public better and optimise resource allocation. And, importantly for government organisations, Confluent’s data streaming capabilities can enhance cyber security by detecting and mitigating threats in real time and safeguarding sensitive government data—a critical element in maintaining our national security. Indeed, 53% of Australian businesses surveyed in a recent Confluent study cited security and compliance awareness as the most applicable use cases for data streaming. It should come as little surprise, then, that industry analyst firm Forrester views Confluent as “an excellent fit for organisations that need to support a high-performance, scalable, multi-cloud data pipeline with extreme resilience.” Streamlining service improvement Data streaming is driving greater efficiency in more than three of four companies across Asia Pacific, according to Confluent research. Meanwhile, 65% of IT leaders polled see significant or emerging product and service benefits from data streaming. With this in mind, the potential for the government to do more with its data is clear, and personalisation is top of mind. Personalising citizen service experiences requires knowing who a customer is at any given moment. This is made possible by accessing data in motion, especially across multiple touchpoints. At the very least, this can help citizens avoid having to provide the same information over and over again as they interact with government agencies. And now, with Confluent assessed under the Australian Information Security Registered Assessors Programme (IRAP), government agencies with an Information Security Manual PROTECTED level requirement can use Confluent Cloud across Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Australian government agencies will then be able to gather and share data across departments, offices, and agencies securely and at scale. This means even more government agencies will be able to tap data in motion to integrate information across their applications and systems in real time and reinvent employee and citizen experiences for the better.](https://publicspectrum.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Confluent-Advertorial.png)
The Australian Federal Government’s latest budget for 2024–25 illustrates a comprehensive plan to strengthen Australia’s defences against cyber threats and safeguard the data of businesses, government organisations, and individuals. Significant investments in enhancing cybersecurity measures for regulators and registers, expanding Australia’s Digital ID System, and allocating funds for quantum computing are highlighted in the budget. These efforts not only seek to enhance Australia’s cybersecurity but also lay the groundwork for technological breakthroughs such as quantum computing.
The Australian Federal Budget for the 2024–25 fiscal year showcases a strong dedication to improving data capabilities. The budget allocates significant funding for critical initiatives, with the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) receiving a notable $500 million allocation. This investment aims to improve digital services and streamline data integration projects. The funding aims to improve data sharing among federal, state, and local governments. This initiative is of utmost importance in promoting a cohesive and streamlined data management system across different tiers of government.
By improving data sharing, the government can make better-informed decisions, improve service delivery, and optimise resource utilisation. The budget includes funding for enhancing the cybersecurity of regulators and registers ($206 million), expanding Australia’s Digital ID System ($288.1 million), and investing in quantum computing ($472 million), in addition to the DTA funding. These efforts not only seek to enhance Australia’s cybersecurity but also lay the groundwork for technological progress such as quantum computing.
The Australian Federal Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 has made substantial commitments to bolstering Cybersecurity and enhancing Data Protection. The budget papers shed light on the main areas of interest:
These investments indicate the government’s commitment to bolstering cybersecurity, safeguarding data, and fostering technological advancement. The initiatives aim to strengthen Australia’s cybersecurity, improve data protection, and facilitate progress in quantum computing.
The Australian Federal Budget for the 2024–25 fiscal year highlighted the notable effects on various sectors of improved data management and analytics capabilities:
These specific impacts demonstrate the government’s dedication to leveraging data and analytics to boost various sectors of the economy. The objective is to improve service delivery, achieve better outcomes, and increase efficiency in these sectors.
The Australian Federal Budget for the financial year 2024–25 emphasised notable partnerships between the government and the private sector. The budget promotes a cooperative approach between government agencies and the private sector to harness their expertise and foster innovation in data management. Public-private partnerships are anticipated to have a vital role in the implementation of these initiatives, guaranteeing the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and optimal practices. The budget also outlines initiatives aimed at revolutionising the Australian industry, science, and resource sectors.
The government’s vision for the future of Australia focuses on stimulating investment, generating employment, and capitalising on the changing global economy. This involves capitalising on the possibilities presented by the shift towards achieving zero emissions, harnessing the potential of innovative technologies, and fostering the development of globally competitive industries and fresh avenues for economic expansion. The Future Made in Australia National Interest Framework has identified sectors as crucial for economic resilience and national security, and the government is supporting these sectors.
Efforts are underway to develop and execute projects related to batteries, clean energy manufacturing, green metals, and critical minerals in a strong partnership with the government. These collaborations highlight the government’s dedication to utilising public-private partnerships to drive advancements in key sectors of the economy. They are poised to improve service delivery, optimise outcomes, and streamline operations in these industries.
The Australian Federal Budget for 2024–25 highlights the government’s proactive approach to enhancing data management and analytics capabilities in different sectors. This proactive approach not only strengthens cybersecurity measures but also paves the way for state-of-the-art technological advancements, such as quantum computing. As these initiatives continue to develop, they have the potential to greatly transform Australia’s data landscape, bringing about improved security and efficiency.
The government’s investment in these areas highlights its dedication to utilising technology to stimulate growth and foster innovation. In the future, the impact of these initiatives will have wide-ranging outcomes. They indicate a transition to a data-driven economy, where making informed decisions based on strong data management and analytics becomes the standard. This has the potential to open up new opportunities, drive economic growth, and establish Australia as a global leader in data management and analytics.
Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.