Just a few short weeks after the appointment of a new Federal Minister for Innovation, newly-appointed NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has named Hornsby MP Matt Kean the state’s new Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation.
Kean, who worked closely with Berejiklian through his role as Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury, will be replacing Victor Dominello in the role, who was named Minister for Finance, Services, and Property in the reshuffle.
In his time as Minister for Innovation, the state’s first, Dominello led the development of the government’s Innovation Strategy.
Much of the focus in the Strategy is on increasing innovation efforts within government itself and turning it into a leader through its promotion and adoption of new products and services.
Looking to help facilitate this was the launch of the NSW Innovation Concierge on the government’s new Innovation website, operating as a ‘front door’ to help people navigate and get access to the right information and people in government, helping them showcase innovative ideas that align with state priorities.
Also announced through the Innovation Strategy was the development of a regulatory sandbox to allow new products, services, and business models to be easily tested while maintaining existing protections. The theme of the first sandbox is yet to be announced.
During his time as Minister for Innovation, Dominello also championed the opening of the NSW Data Analytics Centre and the government’s Open Data Policy, and appointed NSW’s first Government Chief Information and Digital Officer to guide the government’s digital agenda internally.
Dominello will likely continue to have some impact on the startup ecosystem through his role as Finance Minister, with the government keen to push Sydney’s credentials as a fintech hub. He will also remain responsible for the Data Analytics Centre.
In other changes Niall Blair, formerly Minister for Primary Industries, Lands and Water, has taken on the Trade and Industry portfolio, with Anthony Roberts becoming Minister for Planning, for Housing, and Special Minister of State.
John Barilaro, leader of the NSW Nationals and Deputy Premier, has taken on the role of Minister for Regional NSW, adding to his Skills and Small Business portfolios.
He also pushed for greater representation of Nationals in the cabinet through the reshuffle process, seeing three added.
“As partners in the NSW Coalition Government, it is the job of my Cabinet Ministers to ensure that the people of regional NSW get their fair share of services and infrastructure and we are determined to deliver for them,” he said.
Image: Matt Kean and Gladys Berejiklian. Source: news.com.au
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