Post by bear on May 22, 2020 5:54:34 GMT 7
The worrying new trend affecting millions of Centrelink users
Nine News can tonight reveal a worrying new trend affecting the millions of Australians who use Centrelink. As the organisation expands its reach online, more Centrelink offices around the country are closing their doors.
Branches in Newcastle, Newport and Mornington in Victoria are also shutting up shop. The Tweeds Head site in New South Wales is on the move. "We have a responsibility to the taxpayer. Leasing offices is expensive,' Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen told 9News.
The justification for closures is not good enough for some.
See more: www.9news.com.au/national/centrelink-welfare-officers-around-australia-are-closing-their-doors/ed2d64a4-73f8-4737-8d48-1d2f0c5ffde8
Abbotsford Centrelink office shut in 'savage attack' on people in need.
The Greens have slammed the closure of a Centrelink office in Abbotsford, accusing the federal government of leaving people without a local service in the middle of a pandemic when there was “the biggest ever demand”.
Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert said in a letter that the Abbotsford centre would be closed on Thursday, after the landlord refused to renew the lease.
Mr Robert said both Medicare and Centrelink services would be consolidated at the South Melbourne service centre, which is six kilometres away.
The federal MP for Melbourne, Greens leader Adam Bandt, said the Abbotsford centre – which was in an area with almost more public housing than anywhere in the country – had seen some of the largest queues when the COVID-19 crisis struck.
“Closing a major Centrelink office with just over a day’s notice, while the country suffers Depression-era joblessness is utter incompetence and a savage attack on people in need.”
Services Australia General Manager Hank Jongen said the agency would continue to provide face-to-face services to people who required support at South Melbourne and surrounding centres such as at Prahran and Flemington.
‘We are committed to providing quality face-to-face assistance for people accessing our services,’ Mr Jongen said.
He also said people were increasingly taking advantage of online options to manage their Centrelink and Medicare needs.
But Badria Mustafa, who uses the Abbotsford Centre along with her mother and sister, said many people who accessed its services were new to Australia.
“They might not be able to use the app and have to go in person,” she said.
She said many did not drive and it would be more difficult for them to get to South Melbourne.
www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/abbotsford-centrelink-office-shut-in-savage-attack-on-people-in-need-20200520-p54uuc.html
Nine News can tonight reveal a worrying new trend affecting the millions of Australians who use Centrelink. As the organisation expands its reach online, more Centrelink offices around the country are closing their doors.
Branches in Newcastle, Newport and Mornington in Victoria are also shutting up shop. The Tweeds Head site in New South Wales is on the move. "We have a responsibility to the taxpayer. Leasing offices is expensive,' Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen told 9News.
The justification for closures is not good enough for some.
See more: www.9news.com.au/national/centrelink-welfare-officers-around-australia-are-closing-their-doors/ed2d64a4-73f8-4737-8d48-1d2f0c5ffde8
Abbotsford Centrelink office shut in 'savage attack' on people in need.
The Greens have slammed the closure of a Centrelink office in Abbotsford, accusing the federal government of leaving people without a local service in the middle of a pandemic when there was “the biggest ever demand”.
Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert said in a letter that the Abbotsford centre would be closed on Thursday, after the landlord refused to renew the lease.
Mr Robert said both Medicare and Centrelink services would be consolidated at the South Melbourne service centre, which is six kilometres away.
The federal MP for Melbourne, Greens leader Adam Bandt, said the Abbotsford centre – which was in an area with almost more public housing than anywhere in the country – had seen some of the largest queues when the COVID-19 crisis struck.
“Closing a major Centrelink office with just over a day’s notice, while the country suffers Depression-era joblessness is utter incompetence and a savage attack on people in need.”
Services Australia General Manager Hank Jongen said the agency would continue to provide face-to-face services to people who required support at South Melbourne and surrounding centres such as at Prahran and Flemington.
‘We are committed to providing quality face-to-face assistance for people accessing our services,’ Mr Jongen said.
He also said people were increasingly taking advantage of online options to manage their Centrelink and Medicare needs.
But Badria Mustafa, who uses the Abbotsford Centre along with her mother and sister, said many people who accessed its services were new to Australia.
“They might not be able to use the app and have to go in person,” she said.
She said many did not drive and it would be more difficult for them to get to South Melbourne.
www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/abbotsford-centrelink-office-shut-in-savage-attack-on-people-in-need-20200520-p54uuc.html
