Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-05-17 Daily Xml

Contents

SERVICE SA

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:57): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Government Enterprises a question about recent initiatives by Service SA.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: As honourable members would know, Service SA is the state government's one-stop contact point for government information and services. Service SA offers choice and flexibility to its customers and provides access to government and related services, information, products and financial transactions through an integrated network of phone, face-to-face and online delivery channels. Will the minister advise the chamber how Service SA has responded to the increased use of information and technology by Service SA consumers?

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) (14:59): I thank the honourable member for her important question. Service SA is indeed becoming renowned for its innovative and cost-effective developments in the field of customer service. As members may be aware, Service SA is actively working towards expanding the range of government services and information available online following the success of its EzyReg website.

I am advised that the migration of services to the online channel not only reduces the cost of delivery but also reduces things like queue waiting time in relation to face-to-face and call centre interactions. I am advised that the SA government agencies have achieved significant cost savings by migrating or shifting services from the face-to-face services to online services for some services at least. The incremental cost of transacting online is obviously significantly lower than the traditional over-the-counter service or through a call centre.

In addition, the community can access these online services from any location 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and even from the comfort of our own homes. Service SA is focused on making it easier for citizens and businesses to access services and transact with government through the South Australian government internet site—the sa.gov.au site. I am advised that 3 per cent of all visits to the EzyReg website are made from mobile devices. These include smartphones and tablets such as iPads.

Statistical data gathered from the EzyReg website indicates that iPhones currently represent 66 per cent of all mobile phone payments. Service SA has worked closely with an external vendor to produce an exciting new application that has increased the functionality and is specific for iPhones and it will work well, I am advised, with the EzyReg function available on mobile phones, also known as smartphones.

I am also advised that the iPhone 3 and 4 have the ability to scan the barcode on the invitation to renew that people receive. It is an invitation to renew your registration, and you can now scan the barcode using the camera function. I have been advised that the earlier versions of the iPhone 1 and 2 currently do not have that function. This will make paying bills much easier and less time consuming for customers and staff.

Customers who utilise the new iPhone application will be able to inquire on the current registration status of their vehicle through manually entering their payment number. They can obviously make online payments to renew vehicle registrations. The application also has the ability for customers to create a reminder appointment for future payments of vehicle registration renewals. I commend Service SA on this fabulous new initiative. Service SA has proved to be a real leader in promoting online services to South Australian licence holders and vehicle and boat owners.