Post by Banker on Apr 25, 2012 7:56:02 GMT 7
SECURITY guards have been placed in more than 70 of the Centrelink offices across the nation considered to be dangerous to counter a rise in aggression, violence and anger from welfare recipients.
More than $7 million has been spent over 18 months employing the security officers to ensure safety in the country's frontline welfare offices.
New figures reveal that from July 2010 to June last year, $4.99m was spent putting security guards in 76 Centrelink sites. From July to December last year, $2.06m was spent on 55 sites.
The most money was spent on security guards at the Alice Springs Centrelink office, followed by Noarlunga in South Australia and Palmerston and Casuarina, both in the Northern Territory.
Other areas with high levels of welfare recipients and security included Darwin, and Campbelltown and Mount Druitt in Sydney. Security was also hired in inner-urban locations such as South Melbourne, and Bondi Junction and Darlinghurst in Sydney.
Human Services Minister Kim Carr confirmed that at least 60 Centrelink sites now had security guards.
"Centrelink staff have contact with tens of thousands of customers every single day and the vast majority of these interactions are conducted in a friendly, co-operative and respectful manner," Senator Carr said.
"The department take the safety of all staff and customers very seriously, and have a well-established, comprehensive program to prevent and manage customer aggression. This includes staff training, office security measures, and security assessments."
Senator Carr said security provisions were made on a case-by-case basis.
National Welfare Rights Network president Maree O'Halloran said safety at Centrelink was of paramount importance.
"We have heard reports of members of the public becoming extremely agitated after using all their mobile credits waiting to be answered," she said. "Then when they go to a Centrelink office, they are referred to the phone inside the office.
"Many . . . are in desperate situations financially and inadequate staffing levels put everyone at risk. We urge the government to consider this before cutting staff numbers further."
www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/guards-placed-in-welfare-offices/story-e6frg6zo-1226337507732
More than $7 million has been spent over 18 months employing the security officers to ensure safety in the country's frontline welfare offices.
New figures reveal that from July 2010 to June last year, $4.99m was spent putting security guards in 76 Centrelink sites. From July to December last year, $2.06m was spent on 55 sites.
The most money was spent on security guards at the Alice Springs Centrelink office, followed by Noarlunga in South Australia and Palmerston and Casuarina, both in the Northern Territory.
Other areas with high levels of welfare recipients and security included Darwin, and Campbelltown and Mount Druitt in Sydney. Security was also hired in inner-urban locations such as South Melbourne, and Bondi Junction and Darlinghurst in Sydney.
Human Services Minister Kim Carr confirmed that at least 60 Centrelink sites now had security guards.
"Centrelink staff have contact with tens of thousands of customers every single day and the vast majority of these interactions are conducted in a friendly, co-operative and respectful manner," Senator Carr said.
"The department take the safety of all staff and customers very seriously, and have a well-established, comprehensive program to prevent and manage customer aggression. This includes staff training, office security measures, and security assessments."
Senator Carr said security provisions were made on a case-by-case basis.
National Welfare Rights Network president Maree O'Halloran said safety at Centrelink was of paramount importance.
"We have heard reports of members of the public becoming extremely agitated after using all their mobile credits waiting to be answered," she said. "Then when they go to a Centrelink office, they are referred to the phone inside the office.
"Many . . . are in desperate situations financially and inadequate staffing levels put everyone at risk. We urge the government to consider this before cutting staff numbers further."
www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/guards-placed-in-welfare-offices/story-e6frg6zo-1226337507732
