Chapter 12: Agency achievements and the way forward

Abbreviations

A list of the abbreviations used in this report is available in the Glossary

A fair and decent society

A range of measures was implemented by agencies to strengthen the social fabric and improve the health, education and financial situation of Australians.

Centrelink provided an emergency management response as part of the massive whole of government relief following the devastation of Cyclone Larry and the floods in Katherine. It is now processing 9,400 Job Network referrals per month, more than double the 2004 figure.

In reviewing the Repatriation Transport Scheme, DVA has expanded approved destinations for treatmentand provided all veterans, war widows and widowers aged 80 or over, with access to booked car services.

ATO implemented the Child Care Tax Rebate and Super Choice and FaCSIA supported the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Ministerial Taskforce on Child Support which included overseeing and managing the implementation of Stage 1 of the reforms.

DCITA is well advanced in implementing a Do Not Call Register to enable residential householders to opt out of receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls.

Health is working on initiatives to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These include extending the provision of the non-aromatic Opal fuel to additional Aboriginal communities in Central and Northern Australia and a new Medicare Australia funded annual health check for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from birth to the age of 14 years. Health also progressed a number of COAG initiatives aimed at improving the health and well-being of Australians, including the Australian Better Health Initiative, the National Health Call Centre Network and policies to improve outcomes for people with mental illness.

The Australian Public Service Commission conducted the first Census Survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APS Employees and is actively pursuing strategies to foster Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment in the APS. The Commission also provided secretariat support for the MAC project and its report, Employment of People with Disability in the APS.²

DEST’s new strategic plan, Education, Science and Training—Creating Australia’s Future, drives policy solutions in the areas of learning, skills acquisition, and building Australia’s knowledge.

DHS initiatives will ensure that those who are able to work are connected as quickly as possible with Job Network or to other employment service providers, and that the introduction of the health and social service access card will considerably reduce red tape and ensure greater convenience for the delivery of health and welfare payments.

Management Advisory Committee agencies’ key achievements, 2005–06

A fair and decent society: read more about key achievements during 2005-06

Management Advisory Committee 2006, Employment of People with Disability in the APS, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.

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