Government Innovation Showcase Victoria 2026
Accelerating a Responsive, Resilient and Connected Public Service – Through Digital, Data And AI
For government, by government
Event steering committee
Nikhil Patinge
Director – WoVG Digital Integration Services | Technology & Digital Platforms, Department of Government Services
Emily Mailes
Chief eHealth Strategy Officer, Victorian Department of Health
Maxine Harrison
Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Anafrid Bennet
Head of Technology, Security and Property, Greater Western Water
Carsten Boeving
Chief Information Security Officer, Cenitex
Nikhil Patinge
Director – WoVG Digital Integration Services | Technology & Digital Platforms, Department of Government Services
Emily Mailes
Chief eHealth Strategy Officer, Victorian Department of Health
Maxine Harrison
Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Anafrid Bennet
Head of Technology, Security and Property, Greater Western Water
Carsten Boeving
Chief Information Security Officer, Cenitex
Overview
Shaping Future-Ready Government
In a time of fiscal constraint and high public expectations, Victoria’s 2025–26 State Budget signals a bold commitment to smarter service delivery, equity-driven reform, and digital transformation at scale. This year’s landmark investments across health, education, housing, and transport reflect the critical need for enhanced operational capability to deliver on these demands.
With this in mind, the Government Innovation Showcase, Victoria will bring together public sector executives, technologists, and industry to sense-check the latest tools, technologies and strategies being embedded to deliver the next era of Victorian public service - and how AI, data, and digital, alongside a future ready, skilled workforce - is being applied to drive enhanced productivity, innovation and progressive service delivery.
With a dedicated focus across three defining tracks — ‘Digital Services, Customer Experience, & AI Innovation’, ‘Technology, Data, & AI Integration’, and ‘AI-Enhanced Productivity’; the Showcase connects intent with execution, and dives deep into how to unlock smarter, faster, and more relevant public service experience - not only to meet immediate pressures, but to build long-term government resilience.
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Register nowWho will be there?
Share your case studies and collaborate with peers to ethically guide AI, integrate citizen feedback into policy, and lead cross-agency efforts for streamlined, inclusive government services.
- Guide ethical AI implementation within government for increased transparency and accountability.Integrate citizen feedback effectively into policy-making through digital platforms.
- Lead cross-agency collaborations to boost public service delivery efficiency.
- Promote resilient digital infrastructure that supports continuous innovation in public services.
- Adopt data analytics for smarter procurement decisions and cost-efficient government operations.
- Strategically bridge the digital divide to ensure equitable access to government services.
Discover best practices for implementing predictive analytics, ensuring data security, and the leading AI projects that drive efficiency and optimise service delivery.
- Identify when and where to deploy AI: exploring where AI has driven both operational efficiencies and service innovations.
- Scale AI from pilot to full deployment while working within guardrails
- Navigate privacy, regulation & ethics to maintain public trust and adopt responsible and ethical AI practices
- Drive responsible, transparent and explainable AI workflows, today and for the future
- Accelerate trusted data delivery, continuous monitoring and improvements to harness the full capability of your data and drive AI accuracy and impact
- Advance the development and adoption of AI to maximise efficiencies in service delivery and CX
Explore ways to improve digital service accessibility, enhance user-centered design, and engage citizens through inclusive and interactive platforms.
- Embed digital technologies and AI within customer interactions to create a more seamless, accessible service
- Become better equipped to understand emerging citizen needs and promptly cater to these
- Harness co-creation and user feedback to design smart, simple and connected services
- Understand how to balance digitisation, AI and self-service with human connections
- Leverage insights and customer feedback to provide a next-gen service
Define your strategy for modernisation to achieve agility, resilience and innovation.
- Modernise legacy ICT infrastructure to support innovation, agility and meet the needs of continued digital/AI advancement
- Create the foundation to deploy more advanced AI technologies and information management uplift
- Deliver scaled technology change transformation and unlock ICT as an enabler of change
- Build a flexible and adaptive ICT infrastructure to sustain agility and innovation
- Implement resilient network, cloud computing, and data centre strategies to strengthen government operations, ensuring scalability and reliability
2026 Featured Speakers
Dr Steve Hodgkinson
Chief Digital Officer, Victoria Police
Jason Owusu
Chief Data & Digital Officer, Department of Transport and Planning
Kate Lucas
Chief Analytics Officer, Victorian Department of Health
Nikhil Patinge
Director – WoVG Digital Integration Services | Technology & Digital Platforms, Department of Government Services
Emily Mailes
Chief eHealth Strategy Officer, Victorian Department of Health
Sam Khoury
Chief Information Officer, Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority
Jordy Ughetti
Chief Experience Officer, Cenitex
Adam Carthew
Executive Director, Digital Transformation/CIO, Service Victoria, Department of Government Services
Sharon Hakkennes
Chief Digital Health Officer, Victorian Department of Health
Tracks at a glance
Digital Services, CX, and AI Innovation
For executives in Digital Services, Customer Experience, and Service Design. Explore how to deliver intuitive, inclusive and citizen-centred services through human-centred design, digital tools, and responsible automation.
Designing intuitive, inclusive and impactful services: this track explores how public sector leaders are reimagining services around the real-world needs of citizens. Through human-centred design, digital innovation, and the strategic use of automation and AI, we’ll examine how to deliver more connected, personalised and inclusive experiences. From productivity and accessibility to quality and trust, join us as we explore the tools, mindsets and strategies shaping the next generation of public service delivery.
Technology, Data, and AI Integration
For leaders in Technology, Data, ICT, Architecture and Transformation. Learn how to modernise systems, embed AI, and leverage data to drive smarter, faster and more resilient government operations.
Building the digital intelligence and infrastructure that powers modern government: this track brings together technology, data and automation as the engine room of public sector transformation. With a focus on practical enablement, we’ll explore how government leaders are modernising legacy systems, embedding AI into operations, and using data to unlock smarter, faster decisions. From foundational platforms and interoperable systems to responsible AI and scalable data approaches, this stream showcases how integrated tech and data strategies can drive performance, innovation and resilience across the sector.
AI-Enhanced Productivity
For COOs, CFOs, HR, Workforce, Operations and functional leaders. Discover how AI can streamline processes, augment decision-making, and unlock workforce capacity while driving both public sector and economic productivity.
Accelerating both public sector performance and the wider economy: this trackexplores how AI is transforming the way government works, from automating routine processes to augmenting decision-making and boosting workforce capacity. With real-world case studies and practical frameworks, we’ll examine how agencies are deploying AI responsibly to free up time, reduce costs, and deliver better outcomes for citizens. From generative AI copilots to intelligent workflows and predictive analytics, this stream highlights the opportunities—and guardrails—of embedding AI as a productivity driver across the public sector and as a catalyst for national economic growth
Why attend?
Actionable Insights
Gain valuable insights from keynotes, case studies, and expert panels. Leave with practical strategies and knowledge to apply directly to your agency’s digital transformation journey.
Fostering Collaboration
Participate in interactive sessions designed to foster collaboration across agencies. Work together on shared challenges, learn best practices, and explore solutions that drive collective impact.
Unmatched Networking
Meet and connect with fellow government leaders, innovators, and industry experts. Build relationships and grow your professional network with peers dedicated to advancing public service.
Vendors, boost your presence
Becoming a partner at the Government Innovation Showcase Victoria offers unique opportunities to connect with decision-makers, showcase innovative solutions, and align with transformative public sector goals. As a partner, you’ll have access to influential government leaders, providing a valuable platform to demonstrate your expertise and contribute to critical conversations on public sector modernisation.
With a focus on the state’s specific needs, partnership enables you to collaborate directly with key players, co-develop solutions for the state’s challenges, and reinforce your commitment to advancing government services in impactful ways.
State of the Service Spotlight: Victorian Innovation 2025
Victoria’s Digital Government in Focus—Workforce Priorities, Fiscal Realities, and the Drive for Collaboration
As governments across Australia continue navigating rapid digital change, Victoria’s public sector leaders are shaping their transformation agendas amid a dynamic mix of workforce reform, financial pressures, and growing public expectations. Drawing from recent national polling, this analysis captures how Victoria’s digital priorities align with—or diverge from, those of other jurisdictions across the country.