Canberra Manager’s Forum with Matt Yannopoulos PSM, Department of Finance

Join AIIA members and guests at the may Canberra Manager’s Forum where Matt Yannopoulos, Secretary of the Department of Finance, will set out a clear and practical case for accelerating the uptake of artificial intelligence and digital transformation across the Australian Public Service.

The presentation will focus on why this shift is no longer optional. It will highlight the scale and pace of change facing government, including rising service expectations, tight fiscal constraints, and growing system complexity. AI and digital tools are positioned as enablers of better policy advice, more efficient operations, and improved outcomes for citizens, rather than ends in themselves.

The speech will also address trust and assurance. It will outline the importance of using AI safely, ethically, and transparently, with strong governance, clear safeguards, and a focus on human judgement. Managing risk well is presented as a way to enable confident use, not as a reason to delay adoption.

Finally, Matt’s presentation will call on public servants at all levels and non-government sector partners to build capability, share lessons, and collaborate. By doing so, the APS can lift productivity, improve service delivery, and remain fit for purpose in a rapidly changing environment.

Don’t delay in getting your tickets to this event. Tables of ten or individual tickets are available now.

Mr Matt Yannopoulos commenced as the Secretary of the Department of Finance on 29 September 2025.

Previously, Mr Yannopoulos was the Associate Secretary at the Department of Defence, where he deputised for the Secretary and oversaw the Department’s service delivery and reform functions to ensure Defence had the workforce, money, facilities, ICT, data management, and legal arrangements in support of national security.

Mr Yannopoulos was the Capability Manager for Defence business information system programs delivering improvements to Defence’s human resource, health, and information management systems. He also oversaw Defence’s support to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Prior to his appointment as the Associate Secretary of Defence, Mr Yannopoulos was the Deputy Secretary Budget and Financial Reporting at the Department of Finance where he was responsible for providing policy and financial advice to the Government on expenditure and non-taxation revenue policy issues.

Mr Yannopoulos has held previous government positions including Chief Operating Officer in the Department of Health and Deputy Secretary, Senior Responsible Officer for the Child Care Reform Implementation at the Department of Education.

Mr Yannopoulos was awarded a Public Service Medal in January 2019 for his achievements in this role. Other positions include First Assistant Secretary, Portfolio Investment Division and Chief Information Officer at the Department of Health as well as other significant roles such as Portfolio CIO of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Mr Yannopoulos has an accounting and information technology background and is an accredited FCPA.

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