Geoscience Accountable Official appointment

Question

In response to a series of questions on notice asked during SBE25-26 relating to Accountable Officials (AOs) under the Policy for the responsible use of AI in government with portfolio question number SI-256, GA responded 'Yes' in answer to the question 'Did the agency/department appoint an AO by 30 November 2024?'. In response to AE25-26 question F035, the Digital Transformation Agency listed GA as one of the agencies that had not appointed an AO before the deadline (30 November 2024). 1. Is DTA incorrect, had GA appointed an AO prior to 30 November 2024? If NO: 2. Why did GA answer question 5 of PQN SI-256 by saying that they had appointed an AO by the deadline? 3. Does GA understand the gravity of misleading the Senate, and that to do so may constitute a contempt of the Senate? If YES: 4. Why was DTA under the impression that GA had not appointed an AO? 5. On what date did GA appoint an AO? 6. Please provide all communications between GA and DTA in relation to GA's supposedly delayed appointment of an AO.

Answer

See attached response.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• BI-010_Payman_Geoscience Accountable Official appointment _Geoscience.pdf (opens in a new tab)