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PUBLIC SERVICES
International Links
Australia – Centrelink
Centrelink started in 1997 and is part of Australia’s public sector
reforms designed to produce more efficient and streamlined government
services via a one stop shop. It has over 1000 sites and is responsible
for around one third of the Government budget. It is a single organisation
that provides service delivery for 13 client Government departments and
can be accessed in person, over the phone, electronically and by mail.
Centrelink’s model delivers one to one services based on life events.
Canada –
Service Canada (one stop shops)
Service Canada is a government-wide initiative to provide one stop
access to a wide range of programmes and services. Its delivery network
will eventually consist of 120 centres across the country providing
information, transactions and facilitation to the public. These services
can be accessed in person, over the phone and electronically. Service
Canada has taken a partnership approach through an alliance of government
service providers. It has also published a handbook for service providers
on the needs of the public and provides an array of tools and best
practice on delivering these needs.
Spain – (One stop shops for
small/medium businesses)
Spain is setting up one-stop-shops for persons interested in creating
and developing small and medium-sized businesses. Three administrative
levels come together in a single office where citizens can obtain
information and start the necessary administrative procedures for
launching a business. Such offices have already been set up in several
parts of the country, and it is planned to create them in the capitals of
all the Autonomous Communities.
France – Justice and Law Centres
There are some thirty of these centres in France. Their purpose is to
deal with delinquency at local level and keep the courts from being
congested with minor offences. The centres are established in
"sensitive" neighbourhoods, which are disadvantaged economically
or socially or in terms of their urban environment. In addition to its
judicial function, the Centre also provides information (free consultation
with lawyers, victim-support associations, etc.) and training. The Centre
is funded through a financial partnership between the Ministry of Justice,
the regional council, the communes concerned and central government under
a city contract. These centres bring the justice system closer to
citizens, making it more responsive to their needs and more human. Some
1500 cases are handled each year.
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