DRIVER'S LICENCES

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:18): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Government Enterprises a question about licence renewals.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: In October last year the minister advised the council of changes to the driver's licence renewals process such that members of the public could renew their licence on the internet. At the time the minister indicated that it was expected that there would be a shift in demand from the face-to-face customer service desk to the online environment. Minister, will you advise the council about the results of this initiative?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:19): I thank the honourable member for his question. As you may recall, I have previously advised members that since 28 September last year drivers have had the option to renew their driver's licence online through the EzyReg website provided by the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure.

These new services allow drivers a quick and easy option for renewing their licence when the licence comes up for renewal within that 10-year period such as those people looking to renew their licence annually or every five years. Once in every 10 years motorists are still required to attend an authorised service centre to have their photo updated. I think that is most unfair, given that I am just about to renew my licence after 10 years and I would very much like to keep my former photo. However, I have been informed that I am not allowed to do that, but not to worry—it is a much better photograph than the one they are going to get next time around.

If your renewal is within the 10-year period, you can complete the transaction online. Using this method means that a person's licence will be produced using the last eligible photo stored in the licensing system, thereby reducing the need to visit a photo point location. I am very pleased to advise that, since the online driver's licence renewal was launched, 26 per cent of drivers have taken up the option to renew their licence online.

The online service gives South Australians the flexibility of renewing their driver's licence at a time and location that suits them—for example, at home, their local library, or any outlet for that matter that provides internet access. It is a facility I will be using in the future, and members should know just how easy, quick and safe it is to pay for their licence renewal.

EzyReg provides a high level of security for all online transactions. A person's transactions are protected by SSL encryption technology and firewalls, ensuring credit card and personal details remain secure and, for additional security, credit card details are not retained, and I wished to make members aware of that.