Strategies 2023 and 2027
Strategy 2023 included programs, projects and initiatives in the 4 pillars of people, technology, decision making, and relationships.
At the end of the 2023 financial year, 9 programs, projects and initiatives from the Strategy 2023 implementation plan were completed, 9 were on track for completion and 9 were delayed.
The strategy’s people plan focused on developing transformational leaders. Satisfaction with learning and development rose from 52% in 2018 to 56% in 2023. However, the reporting period also saw an increase in very high or severe job-related stress and a decrease in satisfaction with work-life balance. These results were likely tied to the conduct of the State election, and the VEC will prioritise introducing or strengthening measures to improve psychosocial safety in the new strategic period.
During the reporting period, the technology plan saw the VEC:
- further implement the Australian Signals Directorate’s Essential 8 cyber maturity controls
- implement a range of best-practice security guidance
- continue to strengthen its cyber security posture.
The VEC further invested in developing and strengthening Strategy 2023’s decision-making plan during the reporting period, developing new frameworks, strategies and policies related to corporate and electoral compliance, and electoral integrity.
The VEC also revised its approach to election program delivery to empower program leads to take responsibility for critical election functions.
During 2022–23, Strategy 2023’s relationships plan saw the VEC develop a reputation management strategy and maintain a high reputation index from between September and December 2022, throughout the State election.
The VEC also published its regulatory approach in October 2022 to provide transparency and assist electoral participants to understand how the VEC will address compliance, investigation and enforcement.
The need to be change-ready is ever more prevalent as the VEC faces many external challenges, including:
- legislative and policy changes
- increased geopolitical instability
- the rise of misinformation and disinformation
- decreased faith in democratic systems
- growing cyber security concerns.
As Strategy 2023 concludes, a new strategic plan – Strategy 2027 – will refine the VEC’s organisational objectives and priorities. Strategy 2027 includes an organisation design review to help the VEC meet its obligations and face its challenges effectively.
The new strategy’s 4 key pillars are trust, voters, processes and systems, and wellbeing, and it clearly articulates the VEC’s 5-year outcomes, success measures and enablers underneath these pillars. It was launched in August 2023.