Post by Banker on May 10, 2012 7:09:19 GMT 7
Cuts force customers to take their queue at Centrelink and Medicare
AUSTRALIANS will languish in longer queues at Centrelink and Medicare and wait longer for tax returns because of 4200 government job cuts next financial year.
Community and Public Sector Union national secretary Nadine Flood said the government's 4 per cent efficiency dividend in the budget was a "short-term budget fix" that would hit frontline services.
"Every Australian relies on government service," she said.
"Whether you're a farmer relying on the Bureau of Meteorology, an aged pensioner relying on Centrelink or a parent relying on the MySchool website, we all expect government to be able to help when we need it."
The budget revealed 3073 jobs would be lost across the public service during 2012-13 but, without increases to the Australian Defence Force, the total loss was 4227 positions. Treasury will lose 1890 jobs, including 1000 at the Australian Taxation Office.
While Human Services was listed to lose 440 jobs, Human Services Minister Kim Carr yesterday said the figure was closer to 300. He said the government would "maintain" frontline call centre operations in Centrelink and Medicare.
The debate comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed in March a damning study that found stressed Centrelink and Medicare staff were overworked and seeing psychiatriac help.
www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/cuts-force-customers-to-take-their-queue-at-centrelink-and-medicare/story-e6freuy9-1226351385458
AUSTRALIANS will languish in longer queues at Centrelink and Medicare and wait longer for tax returns because of 4200 government job cuts next financial year.
Community and Public Sector Union national secretary Nadine Flood said the government's 4 per cent efficiency dividend in the budget was a "short-term budget fix" that would hit frontline services.
"Every Australian relies on government service," she said.
"Whether you're a farmer relying on the Bureau of Meteorology, an aged pensioner relying on Centrelink or a parent relying on the MySchool website, we all expect government to be able to help when we need it."
The budget revealed 3073 jobs would be lost across the public service during 2012-13 but, without increases to the Australian Defence Force, the total loss was 4227 positions. Treasury will lose 1890 jobs, including 1000 at the Australian Taxation Office.
While Human Services was listed to lose 440 jobs, Human Services Minister Kim Carr yesterday said the figure was closer to 300. He said the government would "maintain" frontline call centre operations in Centrelink and Medicare.
The debate comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed in March a damning study that found stressed Centrelink and Medicare staff were overworked and seeing psychiatriac help.
www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/cuts-force-customers-to-take-their-queue-at-centrelink-and-medicare/story-e6freuy9-1226351385458
