The Department of Human Services has announced an eight month delay in the launch of its controversial $1.1 billion welfare Access card.
The Department previously planned to begin registrations for the card next April, but now says this will not happen before late 2008. The Access Card is intended to replace the Medicare and other benefits cards, supposedly simplifying access to a wide range of Government health and welfare services.
Aspects of the plan, which has already cost $41 million, has been questioned by the CPSU, opposition political parties and privacy groups.
“This issue has the capacity to profoundly change the way public services are delivered in Australia,” said CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones.
“There are implications in this for CPSU members both in their work and in their rights as citizens. Regardless of the outcome of the election, the challenges new technology presents for the delivery of public service is not going to go away.
“We will consult with CPSU members and both sides of politics about about the Access card over the coming months to ensure the voice of those tasked with administering the card is heard and noted,” said Mr Jones.
Prior to the recently announced delay the Department said it would register 32,000 residents a day between 2008 and 2010. CPSU has already raised concerns about a number of potential issues such as Sunday opening, how to manage the increased workload, training, and the short term nature of this work.
Once the relevant legislation has been enacted the card will be compulsory for federal welfare and health benefits recipients. For this reason some privacy and civil rights organisations maintain the Access card amounts to a de facto national identity card.
The Department previously planned to begin registrations for the card next April, but now says this will not happen before late 2008. The Access Card is intended to replace the Medicare and other benefits cards, supposedly simplifying access to a wide range of Government health and welfare services.
Aspects of the plan, which has already cost $41 million, has been questioned by the CPSU, opposition political parties and privacy groups.
“This issue has the capacity to profoundly change the way public services are delivered in Australia,” said CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones.
“There are implications in this for CPSU members both in their work and in their rights as citizens. Regardless of the outcome of the election, the challenges new technology presents for the delivery of public service is not going to go away.
“We will consult with CPSU members and both sides of politics about about the Access card over the coming months to ensure the voice of those tasked with administering the card is heard and noted,” said Mr Jones.
Prior to the recently announced delay the Department said it would register 32,000 residents a day between 2008 and 2010. CPSU has already raised concerns about a number of potential issues such as Sunday opening, how to manage the increased workload, training, and the short term nature of this work.
Once the relevant legislation has been enacted the card will be compulsory for federal welfare and health benefits recipients. For this reason some privacy and civil rights organisations maintain the Access card amounts to a de facto national identity card.
More information
http://www.accesscard.gov.au/
http://www.accesscard.gov.au/
1 comment:
I don't think the Government has properly explained the need for this. They will let it lie dormant until after the election though; they don't want to spook the horses before then. It just seems like a national ID card by the back door to me.
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