Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

TIGERS to bring government services together

A $10 million dollar, three year trial program to integrate all three government services is underway in Tasmania.

Project Manager of TIGERS (Trials in Innovative Government Electronic Regional Services), Jill Taylor, said the aim is to make it easier for people in smaller and more remote areas to access all government services. While the initial trial is to be in Tasmania, the aim is to produce a model which can be used by other regions in Australia. It has been funded from the proceeds of the second sale of Telstra.

Jill said Tasmania already has 24 Service Tasmania outlets providing one stop shops for State information and services. Some of these also provide Centrelink and Veterans Affairs services. She said the challenge is to now bring in further Commonwealth and Local Government services.

"While staff are well aware of the distinctions between the three spheres of Australian Government most people are not," she said. "Moreover, so long as they receive good service they usually do not care."

She said integration of all government services can make a lot of transactions easier. "For example, upon the birth of a child parents need to register the birth with the State Government registry, if they qualify for Federal funding they need to lodge details with the Commonwealth, and immunisation requires Local Government services," she said. "Having one centre available over the counter, through the telephone and online can streamline the process considerably."

The committee overseeing the project includes three Commonwealth representatives, two State representatives, one representative of other States and Territories, a representative from the Local Government Association of Tasmania and an IT specialist.

Jill Taylor said apart from the obvious advantages for customers, Councils will also benefit from more streamlined delivery. "It will help to reduce costs and demands on staff time," she said. "With costs reduced, money and staff can be diverted to the many other pressing claims on Council resources.

"It gives Councils greater opportunities as to how they prioritise their expenditure. "For rural Councils in particular, it should be a great boon and we hope it soon starts to take the trip across Bass Strait."

For further information contact Jill Taylor, on (03) 6233 2398

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