Mr James Kelaher

Smart Technologies and Services Task Force

Australian Government Department of Human Services

James Kelaher is the head of the Australian government's Smart technologies and services task force. The purpose of the task force is to develop a detailed proposal for the introduction of smart card technology to improve the way that government services are delivered across the $100 billion pa Human Services portfolio administered by the Hon Joe Hockey.

The task force is working with KPMG which is preparing a business case to replace the current Medicare card and a large number of other plastic and paper cards and vouchers for consideration by the government early in 2006.

Prior to his current appointment James was the deputy managing director of Medicare, the executive chairman of the Health eSecurity Authority, and the chair of the Eclipse Governance Board which comprises health fund, medical and government and public and private hospital representatives overseeing the introduction of a claims switching hub for all privately insured hospital claims.

Previous to these appointments James was appointed by the government to be the chief operating officer of the Australian Federal Police.

James's earlier career was in business where he had leadership and chief executive roles in the manufacturing, services and investment industries. James started his working life as a garbo.