AOFM - AO appointment and compliance issues

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 SBE497, AOFM 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 AOFM as one of the agencies that had not appointed an AO before the deadline (30 November 2024). 1. Is DTA incorrect, had AOFM appointed an AO prior to 30 November 2024? If NO: 2. Why did AOFM answer question 5 of PQN SBE497 by saying that they had appointed an AO by the deadline? 3. Does AOFM 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 AOFM had not appointed an AO? 5. On what date did AOFM appoint an AO? 6. Please provide all communications between AOFM and DTA in relation to AOFM's supposedly delayed appointment of an AO.

Answer

See attached response.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000262 BET023 - AOFM - AO appointment and compliance issues.pdf (opens in a new tab)