Australian government works with Singapore in latest blockchain effort. The Australian Government is testing the use of blockchain technology for inter-government document exchanges with Singapore as the latest action in a series of pro-blockchain efforts. It follows close on the heels of the creation of a new network supporting the blockchain of public servants.
On Nov. 23 the Australia Border Force launched a blockchain trade trial in collaboration with Singapore Customs and Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority to test digital verification systems. ABF Commissioner Michael Outram explained that the trial will help digitize trade and compliance records, adding “This initiative will incorporate paperless trading and secure, digital exchange of trade information as part of the future architecture and design of an Australian Trade Single Window.”
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Industry Group, and financial institutes across Australia and Singapore, including ANZ, will take part in the trial.
The Border Force will forward its findings from this project to the Supply Chain Working Group. The pilot programme is part of the National Blockchain Roadmap led by Chloe White of the Department of Business, Research, Energy and Capital.
On Nov. 5, DISER also launched the Australian Public Servant blockchain network in line with the Blockchain Roadmap. White explained last week that the network is a way to “uncover who are the public servants that are interested in blockchain.”
The community for blockchain enthusiasts will be open to any public servants that are interested in the technology. “It’s a first step in delivering on Signpost seven of the National Blockchain Roadmap: raising awareness across the APS”
This year’s federal budget announced in October, $5 million was earmarked for two “distributed ledger technology initiatives”, with a further $480 allocated to projects that could benefit from blockchain integration.
[image: Christopher Burns]
