Medicare and Centrelink now an integrated department

Medicare
At the beginning of the financial year, new legislation was enacted to merge two very large government agencies. This was The Human Services Legislation Amendment Bill, which will see Medicare and Centrelink being absorbed into a ‘one-stop shop’ known as the Department of Human Services as from the 1 July 2011.This merger is part of the Gillard government’s service delivery reform program

Human Services Minister Chris Bowen says, "This reform is about cutting red tape and making processes more efficient for those who require a Government service and those who provide it."

An article in ‘The Australian’ quoted the Parliamentary secretary for community services Julie Collins saying, "increased self-service options will allow people to manage their own affairs, including through expanded online services," and added that this integration into a single department would “bring together back-office functions to improve efficiency, reduce costs and free up staff”.

Ms Collins also mentioned that the government was conscious of the need to protect customer data. "Importantly, any new sharing of customer data within the integrated department will occur only with customer consent.”

Along with Medicare and Centrelink, this new agency will also incorporate the Child Support Agency and disability service organisation, CRS Australia, under the one roof. The changes are predicted to “improve service delivery and reduce bureaucratic processes and duplication” and, as stated in an article from ‘The Australian Financial Review’, will begin “a new era of service delivery”.

Mr Bowen says the changes are needed as the population ages and more people require pension and carer payments.

20 new offices are expected to be set up around the country by the end of next year and a further 20 by the end of 2012 – time will tell whether or not there is actually an improvement in service delivery.

Bronte

Living the moment

A recent experience has reminded me of the fragility of our existence, and accordingly the need to "live in the moment".  Nothing new here really, but it is so easy to forget and play the games of "if only" and "what if".

So I am jogging with some family members in Sydney on the way to the start line for the City to Surf run.  It is raining, and seeking some cover I run onto some steps, forgetting that water and concrete steps = slippery.  Received an instant reminder of that equation as my shoulder dislocated from the impact of arriving at the bottom of the steps.

Apart from the pain and missing the run, it has also put a halt to the usual weekly activities of golf and tennis.  So here I am on a Saturday afternoon, with some time to reflect on something other than my lousy putting.

The reflection?  Well I was a fraction away from some really nasty possibilities, like a broken back or some serious head injury.  The shoulder is a minor interruption, but the other possibilities (playing "what if" here!) could have been quite life changing. We all know people who have been stricken with a variety of life changing events, so nothing new here either.

The conclusion?  Don't take what we have now for granted.  Enjoy the moment for what it is.  "Be there"!

David