Page 1091 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 3 May 2022
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MS CASTLEY: Minister, how do the number of Dhulwa nurses on workcover compare to the figures for those nurses at the adult mental health unit in the Canberra Hospital?
MS DAVIDSON: I will take that question on notice.
Motor vehicles—licences and registration
MS ORR: My question is directed to the Minister for Business and Better Regulation. Minister, what is the ACT government doing to help Canberrans remember important payments and avoid fines for driving without a valid licence or in an unregistered vehicle?
MS CHEYNE: I thank Ms Orr for the question. Remembering important payments can be difficult for all of us at times, and I am pleased to be able to say that following a successful trial in September 2021, Access Canberra has extended its SMS reminder service. The trial sent payment reminders for driver licence renewals, and the expanded service will now also send SMS reminders for motor vehicle registration renewals as well as traffic and parking infringements.
Expanding the service is another example of how Access Canberra is continually improving its services for the Canberra community. These SMS reminders will reduce the risk of Canberrans being fined for driving without a valid licence or in an unregistered vehicle, or facing a late fee for late payment of an infringement notice. SMS reminders will be sent automatically to a driver’s nominated mobile number two days prior to the expiry of a licence or registration, and two days prior to the due date of an infringement. Canberrans can confirm or update their mobile numbers at ACT.gov.au/updateyourrego to ensure they receive these important reminders.
MS ORR: I have a supplementary question. Minister, what impact did the September 2021 trial of SMS reminders have?
MS CHEYNE: I thank Ms Orr for the question. We all lead busy lives, and the September 2021 trial of the SMS reminders for driver licence renewals demonstrated the utility of this service for Canberrans. During the trial the number of licence holders that renewed on the date of expiry increased by almost 25 per cent compared with the same time in 2018 and 2019. Renewals on the date of expiry increased by more than 50 per cent compared with the same month in 2020, although that month’s renewal numbers were likely down as a result of COVID-19. Approximately 50 per cent of the 341,487 ACT driver licence holders have provided their mobile number to Access Canberra but, as I mentioned in my earlier response, Canberrans can confirm or update their mobile number at ACT.gov.au/updateyourrego to ensure that they are able to receive these important SMS reminders.
DR PATERSON: Minister, what other innovative digital technology is Access Canberra using to improve its service delivery and customer service experience.
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