Quick Summary

• Unisys has obtained an $84 million IT support contract from Defence, succeeding Fujitsu as of March next year.
• This contract centers on providing national deskside support for Defence personnel throughout Australia.
• Defence intends to modernise its ICT strategies and onboard technical expertise internally.
• The agreement with Unisys will extend through March 2028, with a potential four-year extension.

Unisys Obtains Defence IT Support Contract

Defence has re-engaged Unisys to deliver IT support services under an $84 million agreement, replacing the current provider, Fujitsu, commencing in March next year. This strategic decision aligns with Defence’s broader goal to modernise its information and communication technology (ICT) strategies and integrate technical expertise within the organisation.

Emphasis on Internal ICT Capabilities

The national deskside support (NDS) agreement encompasses IT support for Defence staff across Australia. A spokesperson from Defence emphasized the organisation’s strategic objective of swiftly resolving technical issues, which enhances its capacity to handle ICT projects internally and adapt to strategic alterations effectively.

Shift from Fujitsu to Unisys

The existing NDS contract with Fujitsu, initially valued at $99 million and extended to 2025, has seen multiple revisions, with the latest valuation reaching $306 million. Fujitsu’s contract will temporarily overlap with Unisys’ for the next three to four months during the transition phase.

Contract Timeline and Future Possibilities

The new contract with Unisys will be effective until March 2028, with the option for an additional four-year extension. Unisys is returning to this role after previously providing IT support to Defence before transferring the contract to Fujitsu amid a reorganisation of Defence’s support frameworks.

Overview

Unisys has successfully obtained an $84 million contract to deliver IT support services to Defence, succeeding Fujitsu. This initiative is part of Defence’s strategy to modernise its ICT operations and develop technical capabilities in-house. Set to commence in March next year, the contract will last until 2028 with potential extensions, marking Unisys’ return to a familiar position within Defence’s IT support framework.

Q&A Discussion

Q: What prompted Defence to transition from Fujitsu to Unisys?

A: Defence seeks to modernise its ICT strategies, and Unisys is anticipated to bolster internal capabilities and effectively tackle technological challenges.

Q: What is the duration of the new contract with Unisys?

A: The contract with Unisys will be active until March 2028, with the possibility of a four-year extension.

Q: What will take place during the transition phase?

A: The existing agreements with Fujitsu and Unisys will operate simultaneously for three to four months to ensure a seamless transition.

Q: Why is the national deskside support (NDS) contract important?

A: The NDS contract offers IT support to Defence employees nationwide, playing a vital role in sustaining operational efficiency.

Executive Recruitment at the Victorian Energy Department

Brief Overview

• The DEECA in Victoria is in search of a new Executive Director of Information Services.
• Tiffany Wong, the previous CIO, has taken on a new role at BDO Australia.
• The incoming CIO will oversee digital efforts, data handling, and cybersecurity strategies.
• Currently, Martin Gallagher is temporarily fulfilling CIO duties.
• This position reports to Deputy Secretary Sally Fensling.
• A recent departmental reorganization has led to 350 job reductions.

Leadership Transition at DEECA

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) in Victoria is on an active quest to find a new Executive Director of Information Services, succeeding Tiffany Wong. Wong, who held this position since January 2022, left in October for a CIO role at BDO Australia. This role, often known as the Chief Information Officer (CIO), is essential for managing the department’s digital transformation, data strategies, and cybersecurity projects.

Responsibilities and Temporary Management

The new CIO is expected to lead a 100-member team within the information services division, directing the strategic path for DEECA’s digital and cybersecurity initiatives. Currently, Martin Gallagher, the Director of Project Delivery and Change, has taken on the interim CIO responsibilities. This role holds significant importance as it reports directly to Sally Fensling, the Deputy Secretary of Corporate Services.

Departmental Developments and New Leadership

The hunt for a new CIO occurs amidst a time of substantial change for DEECA. The department has recently appointed a new secretary, Kate Houghton, signaling a new leadership era. This follows a major restructuring that resulted in the loss of 350 jobs across different divisions, such as Agriculture Victoria and Solar Victoria, as part of cost-cutting initiatives.

Conclusion

The DEECA in Victoria is currently navigating leadership shifts and organizational restructuring, leading to the necessity of finding a new Executive Director of Information Services. This role is critical in steering the department’s digital and cybersecurity frameworks through these changes.

Q&A

Q: Why is DEECA looking for a new CIO?

A: DEECA is in search of a new CIO due to the departure of Tiffany Wong, who accepted a position at BDO Australia.

Q: What responsibilities will the new CIO carry?

A: The new CIO will direct digital, data, and cybersecurity strategies while leading a team of 100 staff members.

Q: Who is currently managing the CIO functions temporarily?

A: Martin Gallagher, the Director of Project Delivery and Change, is overseeing the CIO functions on an interim basis.

Q: Where does the CIO role fit within the DEECA framework?

A: The CIO reports directly to the Deputy Secretary of Corporate Services, Sally Fensling.

Q: What recent developments have taken place at DEECA?

A: DEECA has undergone a restructuring that resulted in 350 job cuts and has appointed a new secretary, Kate Houghton.

Brief Overview

• YouTube collaborates with PayPal to enable stablecoin payouts in PYUSD for creators in the US.
• PayPal’s stablecoin, PYUSD, is supported by US dollar deposits.
• This initiative seeks to facilitate quicker, more affordable transactions for creators.
• Initially available only in the US, with possibilities for worldwide reach.
• Australian creators might gain from improved currency conversion rates.

Launch of Stablecoin Payouts by YouTube and PayPal

YouTube has made a notable advancement in evolving the payment methods for content creators by partnering with PayPal to roll out stablecoin payouts. Creators in the YouTube Partner Program in the US can now receive their earnings in PayPal USD (PYUSD), a shift that may revolutionise the economic landscape for digital creators on a global scale.

Decoding PayPal’s Stablecoin: PYUSD

Introduced in 2023, PYUSD is PayPal’s own stablecoin, completely backed by US dollar deposits and cash equivalents, ensuring dependability and stability. Unlike fluctuating cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, PYUSD provides a stable digital substitute for the US dollar, allowing seamless transactions online with the benefits of blockchain technology.

Understanding the Integration Process

YouTube’s collaboration with PayPal leverages established payout frameworks, allowing YouTube to issue payments in conventional US Dollars. PayPal then converts these funds to PYUSD for creators who choose to participate, streamlining processes while capitalising on the advantages of blockchain settlements.

Benefits for Creators

The main advantages for creators involve efficiency and reduced costs. Conventional international wire transfers tend to be sluggish and costly. In contrast, blockchain transactions can be completed swiftly, significantly lowering intermediary fees. May Zabaneh, PayPal’s Head of Crypto, highlighted the rapid settlements and decreased fees this system provides, tackling prevalent challenges encountered by digital professionals.

Consequences for Australian Creators

While presently restricted to the US, the impact on Australian creators is considerable. A significant obstacle for local YouTubers is the friction in currency conversion. Payments made in USD typically yield unfavorable exchange rates and substantial transaction costs when transformed to AUD. A global expansion of this initiative could enable Australian creators to retain earnings in USD or convert them more effectively, circumventing traditional banking difficulties.

Expanding Market and Blockchain Features

Since its inception, PYUSD has reached a market capitalization of nearly A$6 billion, functioning on both Ethereum and Solana blockchains. The latter provides enhanced speed and lower costs for transactions, making PYUSD more attractive for international dealings.

Final Thoughts

The partnership between YouTube and PayPal enhances an existing collaboration with Google’s AdSense platform, showcasing a tangible application of Web3 technologies. By incorporating stablecoins like PYUSD, YouTube endorses the use of digital assets in mainstream financial exchanges, suggesting a change in how leading tech companies view global payments.

Recap

YouTube’s partnership with PayPal to provide stablecoin payouts represents a major evolution in payment methods for content creators. With the launch of PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin, creators enjoy faster and more cost-efficient transactions. While it is currently available only in the US, potential global expansion could significantly aid Australian creators by enhancing currency conversion processes and lowering banking costs.

Q: What is PYUSD?

A: PYUSD represents PayPal’s stablecoin, supported by US dollar deposits, offering a stable digital option enriched by blockchain features.

Q: How does this integration benefit creators?

A: Creators experience quicker transaction times and lower fees compared to standard banking procedures.

Q: Is this feature available to Australian creators?

A: At present, it is accessible only in the US, though there is a prospective pathway for global implementation.

Q: What are the implications of this move for digital payments?

A: It signals an increasing acceptance of digital assets in conventional financial transactions by major tech firms.

ACMA’s Latest Strategy to Prevent Unsafe Mobile Sales

Quick Overview

• ACMA initiates a voluntary program to curb unsafe mobile sales.
• Program focuses on illegal devices, including grey market phones.
• Notable participants like eBay and Gumtree have engaged in the effort.
• Emphasis on improving emergency call reliability in Australia.
• Discussion surrounding public access to a register of compliant devices.

ACMA’s Effort Against Unsafe Devices

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has rolled out a voluntary program designed to halt the distribution of unsafe mobile phones and illegal radio gear on online platforms. This action follows rising concerns regarding the reliability of emergency call services, especially after recent incidents linked to failures in triple zero calls.

Details of the Safety Commitment

The safety commitment encompasses a wide array of radio communication devices, such as CB radios, illegal jamming devices, mobile phone boosters, and cellular signal repeaters. It notably addresses grey market mobile phones, which have recently faced scrutiny for their failure to provide dependable emergency services in specific scenarios.

Industry Response and Engagement

Several prominent online retailers, including eBay, Gumtree, Temu, and Shein, have already pledged their support for the program. They are responsible for identifying and eliminating illegal or unsafe devices from their offerings. ACMA’s vice chair, Adam Suckling, underscored that safeguarding public safety from such devices is a collective obligation.

Concerns Regarding Emergency Call Reliability

The push for this program gained traction after Telstra and Optus barred 71 Samsung handset models known for emergency call reliability problems. These handsets frequently failed to ‘camp on’ to alternate networks during outages, obstructing their capability to make emergency calls. While many of the affected models can receive updates, some remain incapable of functioning on Australian networks.

Discourse on Compliance Registers

The program stands in contrast to the Australian Telecommunications Alliance’s (ATA) proposal, which supports a public register of compliant devices. While ACMA’s commitment is voluntary, the ATA has urged for a publicly accessible list to allow consumers to effortlessly verify device compliance.

Conclusion

The ACMA’s new program represents a proactive measure towards limiting the sale of unsafe mobile devices in Australia. By collaborating with leading online retailers, ACMA intends to bolster the reliability of emergency services and shield consumers from potentially hazardous technology. The ongoing discussion regarding public access to device compliance information underscores the difficulties in achieving a balance between transparency and safety in the technology sector.

Q: Which devices are included in ACMA’s program?

A: The program focuses on illegal radio devices, including grey market phones, CB radios, jamming devices, and mobile phone boosters.

Q: Which retailers have committed to the initiative?

A: Retailers such as eBay, Gumtree, Temu, and Shein have participated in the program.

Q: What impact does ACMA’s commitment have on emergency call reliability?

A: It aims to eliminate devices that obstruct emergency call functionality, especially during network disruptions.

Q: What is the issue surrounding the compliance register?

A: The debate revolves around whether ACMA should create a public register of compliant devices to facilitate consumer verification.

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