The rising influence and importance of ministerial offices — and the speed and volatility of modern politics — are pressing departments and agencies to build robust and secure systems and processes. Ensuring secure and efficient management of the large volumes of information flowing between ministers and their portfolio agencies is at a critical stage.
This comes as empowered citizens are demanding greater transparency, recognition of their concerns and rapid decision-making. At the same time, social media has given direct voice to interest groups, and 24/7 news and instant analysis are pressing ministers and their advisers to rapidly respond to ever-shifting media news cycles.
Many departments are servicing multiple ministers and with the size of ministerial offices (MOs) ever expanding, ministerial liaison units (MLUs) are being challenged to ensure their ministers are well serviced, with the best advice, as swiftly as possible.
Building confidence between the MLUs and the MOs is critical to promoting collaborative work practices and policy development between ministerial advisers and senior public sector executives.
Parliamentary and ministerial liaison units handle large volumes of information, flowing across the department, its portfolio of agencies and statutory bodies, and back to the MO. These range from daily hot issues briefs, to complex iterations of policy documents, plus the regular flow of ministerial correspondence and stakeholder engagement.
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The critical role MOs now play means ministerial chiefs of staff need an industrial-level system designed for executive level government.
The fast pace of modern politics requires consistent processes and robust information systems to deliver high-quality briefings with speed and accountability. It relies on secure collaboration among departments and agencies, to support multiple ministers and their advisers, at any time, from any location.
Sensitivity and the need for multiple iterations of documents and correspondence makes it vital that departments and ministers can quickly and easily work together, supported by a system designed for the era of digital government.
Constant machinery of government changes also means that systems should be easily adapted and securely managed so sensitive information is protected and public agencies can confidently and collaboratively build strong professional relationships with key advisers and ministers.
