With upcoming elections, we’ve seen grand plans released from all parties.
Here’s the latest from the Labor Party, which seeks to “supercharge” Service SA branches, including opening major branches on Saturdays for the first time.
Labor’s Serving South Australia plan include three key measures:
Longer hours:
- Labor will open major metropolitan Service SA branches on Saturdays from 9am – 5pm.
- Labor’s plan would see the Marion, Seaford Meadows, Prospect, Modbury and Elizabeth branches open on Saturdays.
New services:
- They also plan to expand the services available through these centres to make them a one-stop shop for all government services.
- New services offered through Service SA under Labor include:
• Registering births, relationships and deaths
• Fishing and other outdoor pursuits
• Business, industry and employment including a range of registration and licencing requirements
• Applications for concessions, rebates and other assistance
• Power of Attorney
• Applications for health and wellbeing support and services, child-care and disability support
• Education, skills and training
• Housing services including public and social housing
• State government taxes, fees and charges
• Victims of crime services and support and lodgement of criminal checks
New website: They also plan to deliver an easy-to-navigate, government-wide online platform.
SA Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas explains why he thinks his plan will benefit South Australians.
“South Australians should be able to interact with their government simply and easily; in person, on the phone or through a digital platform,” he says.
“They shouldn’t have to wade through red tape, be passed from department to department, spend hours waiting on hold, queuing in the street or navigating a clumsy and outdated digital platform.”
He also believes the extension of hours will be helpful for those with commitments during the week.
“Not everybody can easily get to a Service SA centre on weekdays, and when they do go, the queue is often out the door. Opening up on Saturdays will give people greater flexibility, as well as spreading demand across six days, instead of five – easing queues,” Malinauskas says.
Stay updated for more.