30/2009
14 May 2009
An Internet-based tool that provides prospective travellers and migrants with tailored information about their visa options has been awarded the Australian Government’s e‑Award for Excellence in e-Government for 2009.
Minister for Finance and Deregulation Lindsay Tanner said that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) Visa Wizard and Citizenship Wizard project had developed an interactive, self-service tool for people seeking information about visa and citizenship requirements in Australia.
Lindsay Tanner said: “This award recognises the most outstanding initiatives in e-government that have been implemented in the past year.”
“In deciding on this award the positive impact the initiative has had on the lives of Australian citizens, the community and business is assessed, as is the project’s ability to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government administration and service delivery.”
“The Visa and Citizenship Wizards highlight how ICT can be resourcefully applied to the delivery of government services, not only for the benefit of our citizens, but also for prospective Australians and visitors to our country.“
The DIAC Visa Wizard provides prospective travellers and migrants with tailored information about their visa options, and the Citizenship Wizard provides citizenship information to clients based on their individual circumstances. Both Wizards are easily accessed via the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in world.
In addition to receiving the e-Award for Excellence, DIAC was highly commended for its eVisitor project, an online electronic travel authority service that allows European Union Nationals to electronically lodge applications.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ CDATA Online tool and the Tablelands Regional Council’s Northern Queensland Wildfire Mitigation Project were also recognised for their excellence in e-Government initiatives and received highly commended awards.
“These products help highlight Australia as an innovator in the development and delivery of e-government services and promote further innovation in the Government sector,” Lindsay Tanner said.
The other finalists for the e-Award for Excellence in e-Government were:
Further information on the winner and finalists’ initiatives is available on the AGIMO website: www.agimo.gov.au/e-award
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| Media Contact: | Website: |
|---|---|
| Nardia Dazkiw - 0418 144 690 | www.financeminister.gov.au |
