Centrelink plans mobile data service

Beverley Head
Thursday, 12 August 2010 12:07

Business IT - Technology

Plans are afoot to kill queues in Centrelink offices by employing staff with mobile computers to collect information from clients as they first walk through the doors.

Speaking at SAS Forum 2010 in Sydney today, John Wadeson, deputy secretary of ICT Infrastructure for the Federal Human Services portfolio, said this was part of what was needed to deliver a 'modern service.'

'People will get met by someone with a handheld device,' as they walked through the door. This would then collect enough information to be able to tell clients whether they need to stay, see a specialist, or is someone needing additional support.

This would help properly direct clients, and free up 'face to face service for the people that need that.'

Mr Wadeson denied that there were privacy concerns associated with the level of data being collected from clients. 'Governments have for many years been using technology to identify areas of possible fraud and the tools are getting better and better.'

Nevertheless Mr Wadeson said that 'The control over what data can be used is controlled very tightly by legislation.' He stressed that the department would not 'engage in broad fishing expeditions.'

Mr Wadeson was speaking as part of a panel session at the Forum, moderated by ABC presenter Tony Jones. Also on the panel were SAS chief executive officer Dr Jim Goodnight; Bank of Queensland CEO, David Liddy; Rod McGeoch, chairman of Sky City Entertainment Group and a director of Telecom New Zealand; and Bill Evans, economics and research chief at Westpac.