SERVICE SA

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:52): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Minister for Government Enterprises about recent initiatives by Service SA.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: We all know that Service SA offers choice and flexibility to its customers and provides access to government-related services, information and products, as well as financial transactions through an integrated network of phone, face-to-face and online delivery service channels.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Didn't you ask this last week?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Not yet, no. If I can use the Hon. Mr Wade to segue to my question, we all know that the Hon. Mr Wade has taken great delight in his new iPhone or new tablet PC, which he has had for about a week or so, and he already has more apps on it than I think the Hon. Tammy Franks has loaded up—

The Hon. T.A. Franks: Yes, but it's not an iPhone, it's an iPad.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: —iPad, tablet PC, same sort of thing—than the Hon. Tammy Franks has seen in a year. My questions are:

1. What new initiatives has Service SA developed in response to the increased use of information and technology by Service SA consumers?

2. Will they develop an app that will satisfy the Hon. Mr Wade?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. The Rann Labor state government has always sought out forward thinking and more convenient ways to interact with the community, and today I am really pleased to advise the chamber of yet another exciting initiative.

One of Service SA's main objectives is to focus on making it easier for citizens and businesses to access services and transact with government. It is quickly becoming renowned for its innovative and cost effective developments in the field of customer service, both nationally and internationally. Today I advise the chamber that Service SA has developed another way in which people are able to register their car, motorbike or any other like vehicle and to make this job even easier.

Service SA's EzyReg smartphone app makes the state government a national leader in making registration easier and also faster. In these hectic times, we all desire a simplified lifestyle where we can enjoy doing more of the things that mean most to us, such as spending quality time with family and friends. I have been advised that recent statistical data gathered from the EzyReg website indicates that iPhones currently represent 66 per cent of all mobile phone payments.

Some of the other benefits of the iPhone include being able to connect to your home network or landline, listening to your favourite music, browsing the internet and checking the weather. More benefits of the iPhone include being able to use it as a camera so, instead of having to carry around a digital camera, it is there in the phone.

This new iPhone app will make it simple for South Australians to register their light vehicles anywhere, any time. I am advised that Service SA has worked closely with an external vendor to produce an exciting new application that has increased functionality and is specific to iPhones. It will work in well with the EzyReg functionality that currently exists on mobile devices, also known as smartphones.

From this month the iPhone 3 and 4 will have two options to enter a barcode to enable payment. Firstly the camera on the phone will be able to read and detect the code, or alternatively, for those people who are not so tech savvy, the payment number can be entered manually. In addition to this, there are several other functions that users can access, which include payment reminders. They are also able to check on their previous payments.

Also, customers who use this new iPhone application can inquire on the current registration status of their vehicle. This will make paying bills easier and less time-consuming for customers. I would also like to assure the members in relation to safety and security issues in the development of the app that security steps are being taken, and I certainly advise that no personal information will be shared with anyone. This app further complements recent reforms to light vehicle registrations. Android users should not feel left out, as the app will be developed shortly for them also, and it is another great initiative for Services SA, which has proved to be an active leader in promoting online services to South Australians.