56-605: Services Australia , formerly the Department of Human Services and before that the Department of Social Security , is an executive agency of the Australian Government , responsible for delivering a range of welfare payments, health insurance payments, child support payments and other support services to eligible Australian citizens and permanent residents. Services Australia delivers social services through
112-481: A Framework for Benchmarks of Adequacy for Social Security Payments: Policy Discussion Paper No. 6 was the department's first attempt to assess conceptual and methodological issues in assessing the adequacy of social security payments. The report resulted in the Budget Standards Project. The Budget Standards Project was a two-year exploratory project that began in 1995 with the financial support of
168-796: A citizen militia organised for local defence. Troubled by Britain's failure to increase defences at Singapore, Menzies was cautious in committing troops to Europe. In 1940–41, Australian forces played prominent roles in the fighting in the Mediterranean theatre , including Operation Compass , the Siege of Tobruk , the Greek campaign , the Battle of Crete , the Syria-Lebanon campaign and the Second Battle of El Alamein . A special War Cabinet
224-595: A heavy defeat and Menzies re-entered coalition negotiations with the Country Party. In March 1940, troubled negotiations were concluded with the Country Party to re-enter Coalition with the UAP. The replacement of Earl Page as leader by Archie Cameron allowed Menzies to reach accommodation. A new Coalition ministry was formed including the Country Party's Archie Cameron, Harold Thorby and John McEwen , as well as junior ministers Arthur Fadden and Horace Nock. In Europe,
280-473: A legitimate agency was stated to be critical due to two reasons. First, under New Public Management, there was an agenda to keep government structures and intervention at a minimum, thus the DSS needed to establish its necessity. Second, the DSS was responsible for distributing large amounts of taxpayer's money, requiring public trust. In February 1986, the then Minister for Social Security, Brian Howe , established
336-516: A list of items people were most likely to purchase or needed to purchase. In the mid-1990s, the DSS with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on a 'Living Standards' approach. The 'Living Standards' approach focused on client outcomes. The DSS commissioned Peter Travers and Frances Robertson from Flinders University to survey 110 DSS recipients. The researchers assessed the incidence of deprivation among DSS clients and explored
392-412: A model for efficient and effective coordination, delivery and implementation of government programs to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to deal with the effects of long-term poverty and disadvantage. The DSS aimed for a minimum of 2% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait representation in regions with high proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers. The AILO Scheme
448-587: A national program of work for the Department of Social Security. DSS Strategic Plan 1995-2005 was the DSS' roadmap. The roadmap included a revised Departmental Charter which The Plan identified the importance of the application of best practice and process improvement. As part of the Government's Social Justice Strategy, the Department of Social Security implemented the Access and Equity program. Under
504-605: A response to the more radical proposals of Labor Party members to deal with the Great Depression. Led by former Labor minister and fiscal conservative Joseph Lyons , the new party swept into office in 1931 against the Australian Labor Party led by James Scullin . Labor had split over the issue of economic policy, with Lang Labor seeking to cease overseas debt repayments. Lyons served seven years as prime minister, overseeing Australia's recovery from
560-529: A result, Australia is also at war. Australia had entered World War II . Earle Page , as leader of the Country and John Curtin as leader of the Labor Party both pledged support to the declaration of war. Australia was ill-prepared for war. A National Security Act was passed. The recruitment of a volunteer military force for service at home and abroad was announced, the 2nd Australian Imperial Force , and
616-481: A three-fold role. First, to provide comment on the composition of the preliminary budget standards and to suggest areas of improvement. Second, to discuss the costed budget standards and to advise where amendments were required, and third to guide aspects of the customisation of the basic standards. The disability support pension was the primary source of income support for disabled people who could not support themselves with paid employment. Initially introduced under
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#1732801435326672-672: Is a Portfolio Body within the Department of Social Services. The Department of Human Services was created on 26 October 2004 as part of the Australian Government's Finance and Administration portfolio. At the time of its creation, it incorporated the Child Support Agency and CRS Australia . Later, the Human Services Legislation Amendment Act 2011 integrated Centrelink and Medicare into the structure. The secretary at
728-680: The Phoney War gave way to a succession of Allied defeats, as Germany overran the Low Countries , Norway and France. By June 1940, the British Empire stood alone against Germany. Menzies called for an 'all in' war effort and with the support of Curtin, amended the National Security Act to extend government powers to tax, acquire property, control businesses and the labour force and allow for conscription of men for
784-474: The 2019 federal election . The agency was formed by way of an administrative order announced on 26 May 2019, with the order coming into effect from 1 February 2020. As a result of this change, the previous secretary, Renée Leon was removed from her role. From 1 February 2020, the Department of Human Services began operating under the Services Australia branding with Amanda Cattermole beginning as
840-630: The Great Depression . Defence issues became increasingly dominant in public affairs with the rise of Fascism in Europe and militant Japan in Asia. Lyons negotiated a coalition with the Country Party, led by Earle Page, following the 1934 election, however the parties continued to differ on some questions of economic policy: the Country Party wanted low tariffs and opposed introduction of a national unemployment insurance scheme. On 7 April 1939, with
896-602: The Menzies Government and became fully operative in 1941. The DSS largely filled the same functions as the previous Department of Social Services , while taking over some programs from the Department of Health . The department's delivery of payments and services functions was taken over by Centrelink in 1997. The creation of Centrelink meant significant changes to DSS, with the department shrinking in size to approximately 700 staff who were tasked with policy formulation and advisory functions. In October 1998,
952-475: The "defence of Australia". Essington Lewis, the head of BHP was appointed Director-General of Munitions Supply to assist with mobilisation of national resources. With the 1940 election looming, Menzies lost his Chief of the General Staff and three loyal ministers in a Royal Australian Airforce crash at Canberra airport. In response, Menzies recalled Harold Holt , a minister who had resigned to join
1008-924: The Administrative Arrangements Order of 29 May 2019, Services Australia is responsible for administering the following services as dictated by their legislation: Services Australia also shares responsibility for the myGov platform with the Australian Taxation Office and Digital Transformation Agency . As part of the administration of these services, Services Australia operates a number of face-to-face service centres across Australia, as well as myGov centres in major cities. In 13 locations across Tasmania, both state and federal services can be accessed through Service Tasmania centres. Department of Social Security (Australia) The Department of Social Security (the DSS )
1064-681: The Cass Social Security Review. The Review is named after Bettina Cass and concentrates on three aspects of social security policy: Under the Review, six publications were made. The publications are intended to promote debate and consultation. According to Herscovitch and Stanton, the Review refocused attention on encouraging and facilitating economic and social participation for customers, particularly those who were disabled, single parents or unemployed. The Department of Social Security's Corporate Management Committee endorsed
1120-448: The Country Party as prime minister, before the independents switched allegiance. On 3 October, the independents, Coles and Wilson, voted with Labor to defeat the government. John Curtin was sworn in as prime minister on 7 October 1941. Eight weeks later, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor . The UAP disintegrated after suffering a heavy defeat in the 1943 election . Menzies called a conference of conservative parties and other groups opposed to
1176-598: The DDS, conducted by the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) of the University of New South Wales . The Project identified indicative income requirements of different households. The Project was based on focus groups of low-income people and using ABS surveys using middle income households. This information was used to create a standard of spending from the different demographics through compiling
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#17328014353261232-475: The DSS was dissolved with the new Department of Family and Community Services taking on all remaining DSS functions. To ensure the DSS was viewed as a legitimate department, the DSS was one of the few Commonwealth departments in Australia to publish annual reports. This new method of accounting was attributed to align with the broader agenda of New Public Management in the 1970s. The DSS's appearance as
1288-434: The DSS' programs were accessible for all customers. Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders and Migrants from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds were the two access and equity target groups. The first DSS Access and Equity Plan ended in 1990. The evaluation of this Plan supported improvements for access and equity for target populations. The second DSS Access and Equity Plan for 1990-93 implemented recommendations from
1344-465: The DSS's delivery of services and effectiveness to migrants. There are three levels at which consultation is conducted Under the 1993 Portfolio Evaluation Plan, an evaluation of the second DSS Access and Equity Plan for 1990–91 to 1992-93 was conducted. The evaluation examined the performance of the Access and Equity Plan against strategies relating to the delivery of information, language services and community consultation. Main recommendations from
1400-639: The Evaluation concerned: In 1995, the DSS established the Adequacy Project. The project commissioned the Social Policy Research Centre to create standards for income support payments using a budget standards methodology. These standards were created successfully but were not government endorsed. The lack of endorsement and incorporation is attributed to the entrance of the new Liberal government that had new priorities. Released in May 1995, Developing
1456-422: The Government's Social Justice Strategy, each Commonwealth portfolio was required to publish a three-year Access and Equity Plan in 1988 and 1991. The Access and Equity program provided service for individuals who may face race, language or cultural barriers or are disadvantaged by remoteness. The program's implementation resulted in a better level of service among customers and greater staff satisfaction in knowing
1512-509: The Invalid and Old-age Pensions Act 1908 in 1910 as the Invalid pension, the pension provided income support for those who were 16 years and over and permanently incapacitated for work. Menzies Government (1939%E2%80%9341) Prime Minister of Australia First term of government (1939–1941) Second term of government (1949–1966) Ministries Elections [REDACTED] The Menzies government (1939–1941) refers to
1568-731: The Labor parties won 36 seats each and the Menzies government was forced to rely upon the support of two independents, Alex Wilson and Arthur Coles, to continue in office. Menzies proposed an all-party unity government to break the impasse, but the Labor Party refused to join. John Curtin agreed instead to take a seat on a newly created Advisory War Council in October 1940. New Country Party leader Arthur Fadden became Treasurer and Menzies unhappily conceded to allow Earle Page back into his ministry. In January 1941, Menzies flew to Britain to discuss
1624-641: The Operational Framework for Continuous Improvement in the Department in September 1995. This program involved staff consultation with more than 150 Regional, Deputy Area and Area Managers. The program emphasised the creation of standards, benchmarks, applying best practices, and re-engineering. This program operated on three levels The Corporate Management Committee (CMC )endorsed best practices and monitors coordination of continuous improvement measures, ensuring national programs are effective at
1680-545: The Pacific ;– established independent embassies in Tokyo and Washington to receive independent advice about developments. On 3 September 1939, the prime minister, Robert Menzies , made a national radio broadcast: My fellow Australians. It is my melancholy duty to inform you, officially, that, in consequence of the persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland , Great Britain has declared war upon her, and that, as
1736-538: The United States, addressing the Canadian parliament and lobbying President Roosevelt for more arms production. After four months, Menzies returned to Australia to face a lack of enthusiasm for his global travels and a war-time minority government under ever-increasing strain. In Menzies' absence, John Curtin had co-operated with Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Fadden of the Country Party in preparing Australia for
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1792-664: The War Cabinet ;– but this time the Labor caucus refused to support the plan. Menzies announced to his Cabinet that he thought he should resign and advise the Governor General to invite John Curtin to form a government. The Cabinet instead insisted he approach Curtin again to form a war cabinet. Unable to secure Curtin's support, and with an unworkable parliamentary majority, Menzies then resigned as prime minister on 29 August 1941. The UAP-Country Party Coalition held office for another month with Arthur Fadden of
1848-505: The absence of a UAP deputy, the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie , appointed Country Party leader Earl Page as his temporary replacement, pending the selection of Lyons' successor by the UAP. The Country Party under Earle Page announced that they would refuse to work in coalition under a Menzies-led government. The UAP selected Menzies to succeed Lyons regardless. Robert Menzies was sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia for
1904-500: The agency's acting secretary until her role was discontinued. In 2020, Services Australia signed a $ 460,000 contract with controversial Israeli digital intelligence company Cellebrite , to use its spyware in fraud investigations. The contract was extended in August 2021, bringing the total value to $ 1.2 million. Services Australia has refused to state which programs it used the technology on to investigate suspected fraud. According to
1960-638: The army. The Labor Party meanwhile experienced a split along pro and anti Communist lines over policy towards the Soviet Union for its co-operation with Nazi Germany in the invasion of Poland. The Communist Party of Australia (CPA) opposed and sought to disrupt Australia's "imperialist" war effort against Nazism in the early stages of the War. Menzies banned the CPA after the Fall of France in 1940, but by 1941 Stalin
2016-406: The department's establishment in 2004 was Patricia Scott . Helen Williams was appointed secretary of the department in 2007. Finn Pratt succeeded Williams in September 2009 after her retirement from the public service. The department was renamed "Services Australia" and made an Executive Agency in machinery of government changes made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on 29 May 2019, following
2072-588: The evaluation of the first plan. Groups identified as experiencing barriers to services Announced in the 1989 Federal Budget, the SNAP Program aimed to better coordinate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the range of government assistance programs available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The SNAP Program had two main objectives. The first objective was to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families received their DSS entitlements. Providing correct entitlements to these families
2128-485: The expected Pacific War . With the threat of Japan imminent and with the Australian Army suffering badly in the Greek and Crete campaigns, Menzies reorganised his ministry and announced multiple multi-party committees to advise on war and economic policy. Government critics however called for an all-party government. In August, Cabinet decided that Menzies should travel back to Britain to represent Australia in
2184-623: The federal executive government of Australia led by Prime Minister Robert Menzies . Menzies led the United Australia Party in the Australian Parliament from 1939 to 1941. Menzies served a later and longer term as prime minister as leader of a successor party, the Liberal Party of Australia from 1949 to 1966 (see Menzies government (1949–1966) ). The United Australia Party (UAP) was formed in 1931 as
2240-413: The first time on 26 April 1939, following the death of Joseph Lyons. He led a minority United Australia Party government – Country Party leader Earle Page had temporarily been Prime Minister after the death of Lyons, but he refused to serve in a government led by Menzies, and withdrew the support of the Country Party from coalition with the UAP. In addition to the office of Prime Minister, Menzies
2296-502: The government programs Centrelink , Medicare , the PBS and the Child Support Agency . Eligible Australian citizens and permanent residents can access many of these services through a myGov account. The head of the agency is the chief executive officer, currently David Hazlehurst, who is responsible to the Minister for Government Services , currently Bill Shorten . Services Australia
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2352-399: The intervention of SNAP Officers in their lives. These communities found SNAP Officers provided practical and tangible assistance by responding to expressed needs and ongoing involvement and commitment. Staff from other agencies who had worked with SNAP Officers also supported these officers. The report also stated that the SNAP Program successfully met its initial objectives and established
2408-605: The national, Area and Regional level. The CMC also used information provided by the Pensioner concession card (PCC) regarding the DSS' proposed program of work. The PCC monitored the national program of continuous improvement work through program plans and filtered information on activities from Area and Regional networks. This information was presented to the Corporate Management Committee. The PCC chose activities that had national application to create
2464-549: The relationship between levels of relative deprivation and other factors such as DSS payment type, full or part-rate benefit and demographics. The ABS developed and incorporated 16 indicators of financial stress into its regular Household Expenditure Survey. Questions in the financial stress module asked survey participants about their possession of household 'essentials', participation in social activities, their ability to pay bills, raise money for emergencies. Their study concluded that: The study consisted of focus groups that had
2520-661: The ruling Australian Labor Party which met in Canberra on 13 October 1944, and again in Albury in December 1944. The formation of a new party – the Liberal Party of Australia – was formally announced at Sydney Town Hall on 31 August 1945. After an initial loss to Labor at the 1946 election , Menzies led the Liberals to victory at the 1949 election against the incumbent Labor government led by Ben Chifley , and
2576-583: The solutions to them by using appropriate funding programs and community action. In 1993, the House of Representatives Standing Committee conducted an inquiry into the Implementation of the Commonwealth's Access and Equity Strategy by Commonwealth government agencies. The inquiry produced a report titled 'Rhetoric or Reality?'. The Report found that the SNAP Program empowered communities through
2632-592: The storm clouds of the Second World War gathering in Europe and the Pacific, Joseph Lyons became the first Prime Minister of Australia to die in office, suffering a heart attack. The UAP's Deputy leader, Robert Menzies, now openly antipathetic to Country Party leader Earle Page, had resigned in March, citing the coalition's failure to implement a plan for national insurance as the cause for his resignation. In
2688-584: The weakness of Singapore's defences and sat with Winston Churchill 's British War Cabinet . En route he inspected Singapore's defences – finding them alarmingly inadequate – and visited Australian troops in the field Mid-East. Menzies was well received by the British press. He at times clashed with Churchill in the War Cabinet, and sought assurances for Australian involvement in the Greek campaign. He
2744-613: Was Treasurer. The First Menzies Ministry included the ageing former Prime Minister Billy Hughes and the young future Prime Minister Harold Holt . Menzies tried and failed to have the issue of national insurance examined by a committee of parliamentarians. Though no longer in formal coalition, his government survived because the Country Party preferred a UAP government to that of a Labor government. The growing threat of war dominated politics through 1939. Menzies supported British policy against Hitler's Germany (negotiate for peace, but prepare for war) and – fearing Japanese intentions in
2800-627: Was a government department in Australia , which administered the Social Security system between 1972 and 1998. The department was one of several new departments established by the Whitlam government and was managed by the Minister for Social Security . The Department of Social Security followed the absolvement of the Department of Social Services which existed as an Australian Government agency between April 1939 and December 1972 under
2856-408: Was created after war was declared – initially composed of Prime Minister Menzies and five senior ministers ( RG Casey , GA Street, Senator McLeay, HS Gullet and World War I Prime Minister Billy Hughes ). In January 1940, Menzies dispatched potential leadership rival Richard Casey to Washington as Australia's first "Minister to the United States". In a consequent by-election, the UAP suffered
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#17328014353262912-466: Was established in 1975 as a conduit between the DSS and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The DSS employed AILOs who: Between 1992 and 1993, a review of the AILO program found improvements are required but found an essential role of AILOs in assisting the Department's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. The migrant services section (MSS) was part of the DSS' national administration and
2968-642: Was forced to join the Allied cause when Hitler reneged on the Pact and invaded the USSR. The USSR came to bear the brunt of the carnage of Hitler's war machine and the Communist Party in Australia lost its early war stigma as a result. In Menzies' later term of office, anti-communism became an important plank of his foreign policy. Labor narrowly lost the September 1940 Election. The UAP–Country Party coalition and
3024-406: Was fundamental to raising their standard of living. The second objective was to improve the knowledge of the range of family and child-related services and funding programs available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and link family and community groups. To improve this knowledge, the SNAP Program aimed to actively involve families and community groups in identifying their needs and
3080-547: Was responsible for coordinating programs for those from people non-English speaking backgrounds. The MSS aided in establishing the vision for DSS's policy, programs and services and developing and monitoring the priorities under the Access and Equity Plan. The migrant services units (MSUs) supported the MSS in each state by providing feedback on the impact of DSS policies, programs and services and consulting with ethnic organisations, government agencies and service providers to improve
3136-570: Was unable to achieve significant assurances for increased commitment to Singapore's defences, but undertook morale boosting excursions to war-affected cities and factories. He spent eight successive weekend at Chequers with Churchill, addressed Parliament, stayed with the King, visited Dublin to lobby Ireland to join the war effort and generally raised awareness in Britain of Australia's contribution to its war effort. He returned to Australia via Canada and
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