The Pearcey Oration is presented each year by an eminent expert.
The oration is an opportunity to explore, in depth, critical contemporary issues arising from the introduction and adoption of new and advanced technologies into our society.
On Wednesday 3rd September at Melbourne Connect, 700 Swanston Street, Carlton, the 2025 Pearcey Oration, the most
significant technology oration in the nation, was delivered by the Honourable Victor Dominello.
Photos
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The Ferrari and the Arc of Technology: Will We Bend It, or Break It?
During his Oration, Victor Dominello explored the exciting opportunity for Australia to embrace AI in implementing the latest in digital services to improve our lives, strengthen our economy and bolster our competitive position globally. He showed us what can and has been done already and laid out the path to realising social equity, personal privacy, and the interoperability that will supercharge our future.
Dr Trevor Pearcey put Australia at the very forefront of the digital computing age when he built CSIRAC in 1947-49. Victor put Australia at the forefront of digitalised government services when he delivered the Digital Driver's Licence for NSW. In his Oration Victor took us for a ride in his AI Ferrari on the data superhighway.
Oration Text
Victor has generously made a copy of the text of his Oration available here.
About the Orator
Victor Dominello is a former senior NSW Government minister, best known for serving as the inaugural Minister for Customer Service and Digital, a role he pioneered globally in 2019. Recognised by The Australian in July 2022 as one of Australia’s top 100 innovators, Victor spent 12 years in cabinet leading portfolios including Digital Government, Innovation, Finance, and Aboriginal Affairs. His leadership earned international acclaim for revolutionising NSW public service delivery through initiatives like the Department of Customer Service, Service NSW, and the Digital Restart Fund.
Prior to his political career, Victor practiced law for over a decade, becoming a partner in a commercial firm. In September 2023, he cofounded ServiceGen, a consultancy advising governments and organisations on innovative service delivery strategies. Through ServiceGen, he was selected by The World Bank to spearhead a transformative digital identity initiative in Mongolia. In February 2025, he launched the Future Government Institute, a global hub for forward-thinking public sector leaders, innovators, and practitioners dedicated to shaping the next era of governance.
In March 2025, Victor was named one of The Identity 25 by Okta Ventures, recognising global pioneers shaping the future of digital identity. As part of the announcement, Victor’s image was featured on the Nasdaq Tower in New York’s Times Square—a celebration of his contribution to secure, citizen-focused identity innovation
Victor currently holds several prominent roles: Chair of the Services Australia Independent Advisory Board, Senior Advisor for the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, and Professor at the University of New South Wales. He also serves as a Director of the UNSW-UTS Trustworthy Digital Society Hub and a Board Director of the Tech Council of Australia.
Lawyer, politician, leader, teacher, director, and internationally respected thought leader, we benefited from Victor’s perspective on how emerging technologies are changing our future.
The 2025 Pearcey Oration and the 2025 Victorian Pearcey Entrepreneur Award were supported by Melbourne Connect.
The Pearcey Oration is the flagship event of Melbourne Connect Innovation Week.