Annual Report 2005–06
Overview: The Minister
The Department of Human Services (part of the Finance and Administration portfolio) was established on 26 October 2004 to improve the development and delivery of Australian Government social and health-related services to the Australian people. The department is responsible for ensuring the Government is able to get the best value for money in service delivery while emphasising continuous service improvement and a whole-of-government approach.
The Minister for Human Services in the Forty-first Parliament is the Hon. Joe Hockey, MP, Member for North Sydney since 1996.
The Minister for Human Services is responsible for the administration of the following legislation:
- Australian Hearing Services Act 1991, except to the extent that it is administered by the Minister for Health and Ageing
- Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, insofar as it relates to the exercise of the powers and functions conferred on the Child Support Registrar under the Act
- Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988, insofar as it relates to the appointment of the Registrar and the exercise of the powers and functions conferred on the Child Support Registrar under the Act
- Commonwealth Services Delivery Agency Act 1997
- Health Insurance Commission Act 1973 renamed Medicare Australia Act 1973 on 1 October 2005.