Department of Health - Social Media Action Plan - Part 1: Policy

The Department of Health's Social Media policy recognises that staff and business units will increasingly be using social media to interact with each other and the Victorian community and to promote the work of the Department. This policy provides a safe framework for online participation by representatives of the Department of Health. The policy recognises that all communications by public servants must comply with the standards of conduct and behaviour set out in the Public Administration Act 2004, the Code of Conduct for Victorian public sector employees, Victorian Government policies and guidelines, and Commonwealth and state legislation.

Victoria - 21st Century Approach to Government Information

The Victorian Parliament's Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee today tabled a report calling for improved access to Victorian Government information.

Web 2.0: The New Tools for Democratic Conversations – A snapshot of Initiatives in Government

This paper provides an overview of developments in the use of interactive online communications described as Web 2.0 and when applied in government, better known as Government 2.0.

Government 2.0 Action Plan - Victoria

The Victorian Government 2.0 action plan involves direct citizen engagement in conversations about government services and public policy through open access to public sector information and web 2.0 technologies. It also enables collaborative working which is both open and engaging.

Victoria launches App My State competition with $100,000 in prizes

Victorian Government Premier John Brumby has launched the world's biggest apps competition App My State and encouraged entries from everyone in Victoria.

Web Review Group - Overview

In keeping with changes to whole of Victorian government (WoVG) Advertising Approval Processes, the Web Review Group (WRG) is no longer required to approve websites.

Accessibility Standard

The Accessibility standard directs Victorian Government Departments and Agencies to make their websites compliant version 2.0 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0)

An inside look at the Department of Sustainability and Environment - DSE

YouTube video promoting the diverse range of functions provided by the Victorian government's Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE); including efforts to sustainably manage water resources and catchments, climate change, bushfires, parks and other public land, forests, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.

Background Paper on Shared Services - Final Report

This report, prepared by Firecone and commissioned by the State Services Authority (SSA), provides findings and recommendations on objectives, structures and governance models for shared services arrangements for Victorian Government Departments.

Benefits of Government Online Services

This was a project to report on the benefits of the Government Online initiative and future funding issues. It commenced November 2000 and concluded in June 2001.

Better Health Channel - iPhone and iPad mobile application

The Department of Health's Better Health Channel has launched a free iPhone and iPad app to help Victorians take control of their health and wellbeing anytime, anywhere. The mobile app builds on the quality information Victorians have come to expect from the award winning Better Health Channel, by delivering only the best health and medical advice. The app delivers comprehensive, reliable and easy to understand information – all of which has been quality assured by medical experts. The Better Health Channel app enables Victorians to search, find and browse health information as well as locate an extensive range of health services.

Bracks Government delivering affordable high speed broadband

In Victoria, Information and Communication Technology Minister Marsha Thomson has encouraged property developers to seek advice from the Victorian Government to ensure that they do not pay over the odds to provide ultra fast fibre to the home (FTTH) broadband in new housing estates.

Broadband boost for Rural Breastscreaning

The Victorian Government has provided $1.9 million to help BreastScreen Victoria establish the Australian first Rural Broadband Digital Mammography pilot project.

Brumby Government Introduces FOI Reforms

The Victorian government has made changes to the Freedom of Information Act to enable easier for Victorians to lodge FOI applications.

Brumby vows to strengthen accountability in Victoria

Premier John Brumby today unveiled a range of reforms to make Parliament, MPs and the Executive more accountable and accessible to the Victorian people including webcasting of parliamentary sessions and online FOI requests.

Building Social Media Strategies and Campaigns Workshop - Gov 2.0 Action Plan

Developing a social media strategy is more than just opening a Twitter or Facebook account. Like any strategy, you need to understand how it aligns with your business objectives and what outcomes you want to achieve. Additionally, you need to understand your audience and have a planned approach to implementation. Once you connect with your audience, how do you evaluate whether you are achieving your objectives. The workshop assumes little knowledge of social media and will use practical case studies. A comprehensive list of resources will be also be provided.

Case Studies: Cases Vol.1 - Archive

Case studies from Victoria, Australia of egovernment applications and services.

Case Studies: Cases Vol.2 - Archive

Case studies from Victoria, Australia of egovernment applications and services.

Case Studies: Cases Vol.3 - Archive

Case studies from Victoria, Australia of egovernment applications and services.

Case Studies: Cases Vol.4 - Archive

Case studies from Victoria, Australia of egovernment applications and services.

HealthSMART: Victoria's Whole-of-Health ICT Strategy

Department of Health. "This site provides information about HealthSMART, Victoria's whole-of-health information and communication technology (ICT) strategy. HealthSMART is a seven-year $360 million strategy to modernise and replace ICT systems throughout the Victorian Public Healthcare Sector. The ICT improvements provide healthcare agencies with the tools required to meet the growing healthcare demands expected in the future..."

Victoria dumps HealthSMART e-health project

Written by Renai LeMay. Delimiter, Monday, May 21, 2012. "The Victorian State Government has reportedly decided to walk away from its troubled central electronic health project HealthSMART, which has reached only a limited number of its goals over the past decade since it was initiated, despite soaking up several hundred million dollars worth of government funding..."

Victoria kills HealthSMART IT project

By Ry Crozier. IT News, May 18, 2012. "No more money after June 30. The Victorian Government has abandoned its statewide HealthSMART IT project, reportedly citing a cost overrun of at least $140 million. A spokeswoman for Health Minister David Davis' office told iTnews that funding for the project would conclude on June 30 this year. Four lead agencies - Eastern Health, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Austin Health and Peninsula Health - will continue using HealthSMART, after adopting the system almost a year ago..."

Vic councils tender for VMware partner

By Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia, May 21, 2012. "A 58-strong consortium of Victorian regional councils is looking for a new VMware partner to manage the councils' VMware Enterprise License Agreement..."

Vic scraps HealthSMART system

By AAP, and Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia, May 18, 2012. "The Victorian Government has made the decision to scrap its HealthSMART system, which was years overdue and had run hundreds of millions of dollars over budget. HealthSMART was launched in 2003 and had been designed to run as a single electronic foundation for the state's public health service. The single platform would combine a finance system, as well as patient-management and clinical-applications services. However, Health Minister David Davis today confirmed that the government had scrapped the continuation of the roll-out of HealthSMART, with the government to now work on a hospital-by-hospital basis, to set up individualised systems..."

Tough times for outgoing CenITex staff

By Caitlin Fitzsimmons. IT News, May 16, 2012. "Shared services agency sheds staff amid government hiring freeze... In the letter to the union, CenITex identified specific job titles to be axed – mostly IT staff, but also positions in accounts, HR and customer service. Meanwhile, CenITex's board of directors will likely be replaced after the agency was listed as a 'reorganising body' under the State Owned Enterprises Act 1992 late last month..."

Melbourne council pulls parking cameras

By Luke Hopewell, ZDNet Australia, May 14th, 2012. "Melbourne is no longer photographing number plates to determine those who are overstaying their welcome in the city's paid parking bays, after technology issues thwarted the system..."

Police probe use of spy drones

ABC News, Updated May 14, 2012. "Victoria Police have confirmed they are investigating the use of unmanned drones to help fight crime. Police say the technology could make their jobs safer but civil libertarians fear drones could lead to grave invasions of people's privacy. Police will not specify what roles drones would have in the force, but it is believed they could be used in surveillance and during car chases..."

CenITex to cut 200 jobs

Staff reductions required to balance 2013 budget says CEO, by Hamish Barwick. Computerworld, 9 May, 2012. "Victorian ICT shared services agency, CenITex, has announced plans to cut approximately 200 staff and cancel 80 vacancy advertisements as part of a strategy to balance its 2013 budget. Up to 150 contractors will be let go while 50 public servants are to be redeployed elsewhere..."

Government IT agency to cut jobs: union

By Stephanie March. ABC News, Updated May 9, 2012. "The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) says the State Government's troubled IT agency will slash almost one third of its workforce. The union says 230 of almost 900 jobs at CenITex will be cut over the next few months..."

CenITex sacks 200: Read the internal email

Written by Renai LeMay. Delimiter, Wednesday, May 9, 2012. "As you might have read, yesterday Victorian IT shared services agency CenITex told its staff that it was planning a round of 200 redundancies. Thanks to a source, we’ve gotten our hands on the internal document outlining the changes. You can read CenITex chief executive Michael Vanderheide’s message to staff on the cuts below..."

Researchers tackle Victorian traffic systems

By Liz Tay. IT News, April 27, 2012. "To build algorithms for road authority and drivers. Victoria's road traffic authority has enlisted experts in artificial intelligence, data mining and signal processing to reduce congestion on Melbourne roads. The authority has agreed to provide the newly launched Swinburne Intelligent Transport Systems Laboratory with real-time data from sensors at some 10,000 street intersections in Melbourne..."

Victoria pilots standing workstations

By Liz Tay. IT News, April 26, 2012. "Sets sights on 'prolonged sitting'. The Victorian Government has kicked off a three-year, $600,000 project to trial workstations and business activities that reduce 'prolonged sitting' among office workers. Some 160 height-adjustable workstations will be deployed in up to 16 Federal Human Services call centres across the state in one of five “large-scale pilot interventions” by health promotion agency, VicHealth..."

Manufacturing, Myki to benefit under 2012-13 Victorian Budget

E-health, justice, transport to also benefit from new ICT investment, by Tim Lohman. Computerworld, 2 May, 2012. "ICT investment under the Victorian Government's 2012-13 budget will concentrate on boosting the state's manufacturing industry, funding the Myki e-ticketing system, e-health initiatives and upgrades to emergency service systems..."

Emergency services, health get boost in Vic budget

Myki transition slated for completion in two years. By John Hilvert. IT News, May 2, 2012. "The Victorian Government's emergency services, health and transport departments have received the lion's share of an estimated $258 million in new IT investment outlined in the state's 2012-2013 budget. In what Ovum research director Steve Hodgkinson labelled "slim pickings for the IT industry" in regard to substantial new projects, the state budget nonetheless targeted several portfolios to receive new investment over the next four years..."