Actions
Intensify

Investigate options to strengthen the innovation culture within the Northern Territory public sector

Measure

Currently developing the Northern Territory public service innovation framework.

Initiated

Summary

In 2020 the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade engaged Deloitte to deliver the GovLab program to executive management. The program is dedicated to helping public sector organisations strengthen their innovation capabilities and build new innovative services. Business Innovation is currently engaged with key Territory Government agencies and representatives to drive and coordinate agency led innovation initiatives.

Outcomes

Territory Economic Development Innovation Training

The Territory Economic Development Innovation Training aims to create more value for the public and increase trust in government. In 2021, thirty representatives from across the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade have been invited to attend four sessions per annum to increase their innovation knowledge on:

Territory Innovation Challenges Program

The Territory Innovation Challenges Program (TICP) concept was publicly introduced during October Business Month 2020, and is intended to contribute to the achievement of the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission mission to ‘position the Territory for future investment leading to jobs and economic growth in the medium term’.

The program will facilitate a competitive approach to solving industry challenge statements, resulting in the development and government procurement of an innovative solution. The TICP will do this by accelerating the development of a more competitive, innovation driven economy in the Territory, where Territory enterprises form collaborative clusters to innovate products for local and export markets, driving private sector jobs and investment growth in the Territory.

The TICP procurement process was successfully trialled through the Department of Health’s Drones for Life project, and the program is now in final draft and scheduled for industry consultation late 2021.

News items:

Inter-Agency Working Groups | Drones and Science

The Drones Interagency Working Group was established to enable effective communication, consensus, and coordination about current and projected drone related planning. The group aims to identify and expedite opportunities for collaboration and innovation across government. Meetings are held every three months with the first meeting held in April 2021. Members include representatives from:

  • Business Innovation - Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
  • Industry Strategy - Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
  • Strategic Policy and Reform - Department of Industry Tourism and Trade
  • Business and Workforce - Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
  • Land Services - Department of Infrastructure Planning and Logistics
  • Architecture and Cyber Security - Department of Corporate and Digital Development
  • Innovation and Research - Department of Health
  • Rangelands Division - Department of Environment Parks and Water Security
  • Commercial Facilitation Unit - Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet
  • Strategic Defence Relations - Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet
  • Territory Response Group - Police, Fire and Emergency Services.

 

An Inter-Agency Working Group on Science is currently being formalised and will include suitably qualified public officers (including scientists), who will:

  • enhance the Territory’s contribution to nationally significant science and technology topics, discussions and policies (including through FACS)
  • provide a platform for agencies to collaborate and coordinate on the important role that science and innovation will contribute to the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission priorities
  • contribute to diversified economic growth and the creation of jobs and investment through advising on initiatives which stimulate the science, research and innovation ecosystem.
     

Members include representatives from:

  • Organisational Improvement - Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet
  • Data Strategy - Department of Corporate and Digital Development
  • Early Years and Education Services - Department of Education
  • Innovation and Research - Department of Health
  • Executive - Treasury and Finance.
Women in STEM Decadal Plan Champion

In 2019 the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade became the first Australian state or territory government agency to sign on as an inaugural Decadal Plan Champion delivering visibility for the Territory as a jurisdiction that supports women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Last updated on 21 April 2022