Bank AI to automate government benefits? There’s an app for that, but it’s not for sale Economy & Industry The CBA’s AI-powered Benefits Finder shows what can be done with government transactions. But will it share the love with other banks?
Services Australia reveals APS tech salaries now +$100k behind market February 16, 2023 By Julian Bajkowski Communications & Technology Senator David Pocock has extracted what outsourced Centrelink IT contractors get really cost: $1,300 a day or almost $300k a year.
Your life on hold, again: Centrelink phone queues explode amid staff shortage February 16, 2023 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social Centrelink customers are hanging on the telephone. And it’s actually worse than it was seven years ago when a horror audit was released.
Life after Thodey: What a functional post-Morrison service delivery model might look like February 7, 2023 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social Enough with the innovation theatre. It’s time to get serious about basic digital reforms stalled for more than a decade.
Premium Case studies ‘You’d have to be blind and illiterate’: Robodebt commissioner demolishes SES ignorance defence January 24, 2023 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social The cultivated tin ear of the SES copped a whacking over its tolerance of illegality at the robodebt royal commission. Here’s what happened.
Shorten unwinds Fortress Centrelink mindset with conspicuous community outreach December 21, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social Government services minister Bill Shorten is re-humanising Services Australia, with officers now travelling out to meet with people in need.
RBA governor Philip Lowe blasts banks over New Payments Platform go-slow December 14, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Economy & Industry Banks are under fire from Australia’s payments systems regulator for stalling the rollout of the controversial new PayTo service.
Premium Case studies Robodebt royal commissioner rips into public servants over evidence December 12, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social Welfare bureaucrats have been warned not to bend the truth over who gave the green light to generate a billion dollars in illegal debts from flaky extrapolations.
Premium Case studies Robodebt architects were warned of ‘perverse outcomes’, deny diluting advice to Morrison December 9, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social Andrew Whitecross and Catherine Halbert deny watering down warnings about robodebt’s problems in advice provided to Scott Morrison.
Premium Case studies What the nudge expert knew: Robodebt a badge of honour applying for Treasury dep sec job December 6, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social A key welfare official has detailed how he helped rewrite a highly critical ombudsman’s oversight report on the illegal robodebt scheme.
Services Australia contractor cull draws opposition fire, royal commission reveals labour hire a key permanent recruitment tool December 6, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Economy & Industry The sacking of 1,000 Centrelink IT contractors is copping heavy flak, with the robodebt royal commission revealing many permanent converts.
Services Australia contractor cull cuts 1,000 positions November 30, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Communications & Technology Australia’s welfare agency is terminating hundreds of temporary tech staff just before Christmas, under a new policy to slash contractors.
Connecting with citizens: the future of digital government November 16, 2022 By Carlos Gonzalez Communications & Technology Being digitally enabled involves tools working in harmony, a customer-centric mindset and shared objectives, says Publicis Sapient’s Carlos Gonzalez.
Premium Case studies What the robodebt chief knew: Kathryn Campbell denies making ‘positively misleading’ statements in annual report November 14, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social Former social security chief Kathryn Campbell has admitted robodebt was a failure of public administration. Responsibility is a bigger ask.
Premium Case studies What the secretary knew: Finn Pratt thought Morrison would heed advice November 11, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social Delegated authority and advice was trusted by the Social Services secretary, even if nobody in Scott Morrison’s office listened.