Man charged after allegedly stabbing Centrelink worker

[bear]

Woman stabbed in Centrelink, man arrested

A man has been charged over the alleged stabbing of a Centrelink worker in Melbourne's north-west this afternoon.

The 55-year-old employee was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after she was allegedly stabbed in the upper body at a shopping centre on Louis Street in Airport West at about 1.30pm.

"Police located a man nearby who was subsequently arrested," Victoria Police said in a statement.

Key points:-
Paramedics treated her at the scene before she was transported to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where she is stable.
"A 34-year-old Essendon man has been charged with intentionally cause serious injury, recklessly cause serious injury, reckless conduct endangering life, common law assault and use and possession of controlled weapon," Victoria Police said.
He is expected to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court this evening.

Services Australia General Manager Hank Jongen said they were supporting their staff at the service centre.

"Our hearts are with the injured service officer and their loved ones," Jongen said. 

"Thankfully, they are in a stable condition and receiving the best possible care.

"The alleged offender was promptly apprehended by Victorian Police, who we are working closely with."

He said it was a very sad day for their agency whose staff worked to support Australians every day.

"They should be free to do their job without concern for their personal safety," he said.

www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-news-woman-allegedly-stabbed-at-centrelink-in-airport-west-while-man-arrested/d15ebcb0-69b3-4132-a7f8-cb2d0c8ae9d4

[anthonydsp]

Honestly there is no need fir that to happen even though we get angry at centrelink there's no need for any sort of violence yes they might be rude and obnoxious sometimes to centrelink customers but they only have a job to do and they have to follow guidelines also im not defending centrelink at all but to stab someone is way over the top

[bear]

Way over the top anthonydsp. Though there does seem to be a lot of it about.....

[nomadic]

Surprised there are not more of these stories from the anger out there caused by Centrelink even if violence is never acceptable or the answer.

[anthonydsp]

May 23, 2023 20:15:30 GMT 7 bear said:

Way over the top anthonydsp. Though there does seem to be a lot of it about.....

Yes there is and it's sad actually

[anthonydsp]

May 23, 2023 20:21:43 GMT 7 nomadic said:

Surprised there are not more of these stories from the anger out there caused by Centrelink even if violence is never acceptable or the answer.

Exactly

[mspurple]

Was the stabbing at a centrelink office or at a shopping centre in Airport west?

It is absolutely terrible the things people will do to another human when they are not happy about something, seems to be happening more and more often. Or maybe it is just that we hear of it more frequently now that communication is so much easier.

[shermos]

With the way I've been treated in the past, I understand how desperate people can be pushed over the edge. Some Centrelink staff seem to get twisted enjoyment out of what they do to people. But, to be clear, I would never condone violence against them. I just wish there was less uncritical "We stand with the victim" in the media, and more reflection on why events like this happen.

[JJJ88]

There are countries that do not have a good social security system in place like we do, some places are limited or get nothing if unable to work because of disability, old age, or unemployed. It really grinds my gears when recipients resort to violence when all Services Australia offices are doing is trying to help.

Cheers

J

[bear]

May 30, 2023 7:50:36 GMT 7 shermos said:

With the way I've been treated in the past, I understand how desperate people can be pushed over the edge. Some Centrelink staff seem to get twisted enjoyment out of what they do to people. But, to be clear, I would never condone violence against them. I just wish there was less uncritical "We stand with the victim" in the media, and more reflection on why events like this happen.ohds 

Now that there's cameras everywhere, anyone being treated unjustly could always just take the fight up to them by requesting the footage amid putting in a complaint. It wouldn't take long for them to pull their heads in. Civility in the surveillance state surely cuts both ways...... If it's expected, it's also to be given. Cheers 🐻

[latindancer]

Just a digital voice recorder is adequate, at least initially.