Hello Ministry of Primary Industries,

I understand that the broader govt is placing quite a bit of focus on modernising agency technology and digital strategies and I'd like to know that MPI is doing the same.

Could I please see (from team manager and above level) any email correspondence, briefs, memos, meeting minutes and any other documents held regarding the current state of MPI agency technology suites (i.e. Microsoft Sharepoint, Outlook, mobile app permissions, restrictions and licensing, GIS platforms, health and safety monitoring software, payroll processing etc), concerns raised about the suitability of current systems, complaints about program restrictions impacting usability, requests for improvement, rejected proposals for IT & system upgrades and any timelines for future implementation of new or improved systems? Date range of interest is 2019 - present.

I'm also interested to know whether there are interagency conversations ongoing to standardise the IT systems to improve interoperability across agencies? Who are they with, what programs and systems are they, and are there timelines for this?

Finally, I understand that MPI has a reputation for being needlessly restrictive with technology upgrades and at times does not permit staff to use software, applications or features already approved for use by other govt agencies, all under the guise of Information Security. Has this been raised directly to the Chief Security Officer or above, and if so, has this resulted in any quantifiable improvement for MPI staff?

Eagerly awaiting your response.

Yours faithfully,
A member of the public