Professor selected for new human services task force

ANU Professor Adam Graycar has been recruited for a task force that will help shape the future delivery of Medicare and Centrelink.

The Director of the Research School of Social Sciences in the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences is one of 17 health, welfare or digital experts appointed to the Department of Human Service’s Council on Strategy and Innovation.

The Council will provide advice on strategy for service delivery in the digital age, on innovation and on the department’s research agenda.

Minister for Human Services Senator Kim Carr, who made the announcement this week, said the challenge for the Department because of Australia’s growing and changing population was huge:

“In less than 15 years, Australia’s population is projected to be about 28 million people, and every single one of them will use the services provided by the Department of Human Services.

“The challenge is enormous,” Senator Carr said.  “We don’t know exactly what kinds of technology will be available in 10 or 20 years, but we need to consider how new technologies can be adapted and used to improve services.

Professor Graycar has had experience in policy making, research, and research management at the most senior levels in Australia.

He was the Foundation Dean of the Australian National Institute for Public Policy, at the ANU in 2010 and 2011 and led a strategic collaboration between the ANU and the Australian Government, aiming to improve the connection between the public sector and the best in public policy research from across Australia and the world.