Service SA

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills representing the Minister for the Public Sector questions regarding Service SA.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: I have been contacted by constituents today who have tried to register their vehicle. One constituent reached the end of Service SA's telephone service only to be told that the payment was not accepted. My constituent tried several more times to register the vehicle this way and was advised by the automated service that payment was not accepted. After checking with her bank, my constituent discovered that Service SA had charged my constituent four times for the same registration. However, when calling Service SA, she was advised that there was no record of the payment and that her vehicle was still unregistered. The same thing occurred with another constituent who tried and was charged three times for their registration. I understand that all Service SA centres have been closed and EzyReg is not operating. My questions are:

1. Can the minister advise details as to what caused this problem?

2. Can the minister advise when Service SA and EzyReg will be operating as normal again?

3. What provisions have been made for those whose registrations are due today and who are unable to pay due to the system not operating?

4. Has this been communicated with SAPOL so that they are aware of this when detecting unregistered/uninsured vehicles?

5. Will the minister approach the Minister for Police to ensure that those who are expiated in this period for an unregistered/uninsured vehicle or driving without a valid licence will have their expiation notices withdrawn?

6. Will the minister give an assurance that refunds for those who have been charged multiple times will be processed in an expedient and timely manner?

7. Why were Service SA shopfronts not kept open to answer enquiries from the public?

8. Will Service SA shopfront staff be paid during this closure period?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:37): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions and we will refer those to the Minister for the Public Sector on his behalf and bring back a response.