[6] The creation of Centrelink meant significant changes to DSS, with the department shrinking in size to approximately 700 staff who were tasked with policy formulation and advisory functions.

First, under New Public Management, there was an agenda to keep government structures and intervention at a minimum, thus the DSS needed to establish its necessity.

According to Herscovitch and Stanton, the Review refocused attention on encouraging and facilitating economic and social participation for customers, particularly those who were disabled, single parents or unemployed.

The CMC also used information provided by the Pensioner concession card (PCC) regarding the DSS' proposed program of work.

The roadmap included a revised Departmental Charter which The Plan identified the importance of the application of best practice and process improvement.

Under the Government's Social Justice Strategy, each Commonwealth portfolio was required to publish a three-year Access and Equity Plan in 1988 and 1991.

The Access and Equity program provided service for individuals who may face race, language or cultural barriers or are disadvantaged by remoteness.

[13] Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders and Migrants from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds were the two access and equity target groups.

The first objective was to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families received their DSS entitlements.

[14] These communities found SNAP Officers provided practical and tangible assistance by responding to expressed needs and ongoing involvement and commitment.

[15] The report also stated that the SNAP Program successfully met its initial objectives and established a model for efficient and effective coordination, delivery and implementation of government programs to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to deal with the effects of long-term poverty and disadvantage.

[16] The migrant services section (MSS) was part of the DSS' national administration and was responsible for coordinating programs for those from people non-English speaking backgrounds.

[21] The MSS aided in establishing the vision for DSS's policy, programs and services and developing and monitoring the priorities under the Access and Equity Plan.

The evaluation examined the performance of the Access and Equity Plan against strategies relating to the delivery of information, language services and community consultation.

[25] Released in May 1995, Developing a Framework for Benchmarks of Adequacy for Social Security Payments: Policy Discussion Paper No.

[27] The Project was based on focus groups of low-income people and using ABS surveys using middle income households.

Centrelink overtook some of the functions of the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA) and other Federal Government services.