Over half an hour with the Department

My drivers licence is due for renewal,I complete the green form which asks about my health.Do i have
certain conditions that would restrict my driving,No I tick,am I an Aboriginal, No I tick,do I take drugs ? not the medicinal that other funny stuff, No I tick.
Under the"Fair go for Safe drivers scheme you may be eligible for a 50% discount " Do I ? No.
How long do you want your licence for ? 3 years I state . Cost $134.00 I write out a cheque.
The operator feeds this information into the system, the system does not accept the information,
the Supervisor is called,he performs his magic, the process continues.
I must have my photo taken,gazing into a bright light,I protect my vision looking up,Not satisfactory
the bright light is switched off,instructions are to look straight ahead.Close your lips,are the instructions,
I comply.
Time is slipping by,I call over the Supervisor,explaining I have an appointment which I want to keep.
He states they can make an appointment for another time, I suggest that if I have provided all the information they require,I go now and they process the information when the computer can,and they post my licence to the address on the licence. Not possible says the Supervisor.
We are standing in an office that has recently had extensive renovations and new equipment,finally after a phone call to another department the system digests the information.
The operator prints a receipt and says" we will post your licence in a weeks time " I laugh because that is what I suggested 1/4 of an hour ago.

Are we now victims of the dream that computers will improve our lives ?Formerly you could renew your licence in 15 minutes now it takes twice that time,we have dispensed with half the staff and spent a large fortune on renovations. What do you call this ? Progress ?