MEDIA RELEASE - GALLAGHER GO-SLOW ON FEDERAL-STATE LIFE EVENTS PROGRAM

PAUL FLETCHER MP

Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy

Manager of Opposition Business in the House

MEDIA RELEASE

1 June 2024

GALLAGHER GO-SLOW ON FEDERAL-STATE LIFE EVENTS PROGRAM

An ambitious plan started under the former Coalition Government to connect government services across jurisdictions has been left idle by the Albanese Labor Government.

In Budget Estimates yesterday, the Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher confirmed that she had not proceeded with a proposal put forward by the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) to realise a five-year plan with States and Territories, based on life events.

According to minutes marked ‘Protected: Cabinet’ released to the Opposition under Freedom of Information laws, the DTA was tasked by the powerful Secretaries Digital and Data Committee in August 2023 with developing the plan alongside Services Australia.

A life event approach to the delivery of government services sees individuals able to easily access services at key milestones, such as the birth of a child or losing a job.

Shadow Minister for Government Services Paul Fletcher said the revelations confirmed the government services stagnation.

“Delivering government services around major life events is a smart and intuitive way to ensure a great customer service experience,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The former Coalition Government understood this.

“Under our leadership, we worked with the States and Territories to reach an agreed national approach to life events in September 2019.

“But we also matched words with deeds. We delivered funding for the cutting-edge Birth of a Child pilot and, under our $200 million investment in the highly successful Enhanced myGov Program, began work to streamline life event content on the myGov platform.

“As the independent, expert-led myGov User Audit found, life event-based services has found success in other jurisdictions, such as in Denmark and closer to home, in NSW under the leadership of former Minister Victor Dominello.

“Unfortunately, the revelations in Budget Estimates are further proof that the Albanese Labor Government has gone cold on continuing the reform push started under the Coalition to reform government services by focusing on digital transformation.”

Media contact: William Sparling | 0416 628 276 | [email protected]