Post by Banjo on Dec 12, 2011 16:01:51 GMT 7
Agency staff report increased mistakes
A NEW survey reveals that more than 50 per cent of staff from agencies including Centrelink, Medicare and the Child support agency are reporting that more mistakes are being made because of the Gillard Government's efficiency dividend.
A CPSU poll of more than a thousand frontline staff from agencies in the Department of Human Services (DHS) portfolio this week has revealed that more than two thirds of employees are reporting an increase in customer waiting times.
Other survey results include 55.2 per cent of staff reported a reduction in quality of services, 53.2 per cent reported more mistakes were being made, 71.4 per cent reported increased workloads and targets and 60.6 per cent reported staff reductions and/or unfilled positions.
And a further 50.2 per cent reported difficulty accessing their leave entitlements.
Unions have warned that the planned $1.5 billion in public sector spending cuts will lead to the loss of up to 3000 jobs and reduced services across key agencies including Medicare, Centrelink and Customs.
The Community and Public Sector Union has condemned last week's decision to increase the efficiency dividend from 1.5 per cent to 4 per cent next financial year, claiming the move would cause families to wait longer for entitlements and assistance.
To achieve the cuts, agencies will be required to cut consultants and contractors, use teleconferencing instead of travel, reduce spending on hospitality and entertainment, and cut advertising.
CPSU National Secretary Nadine Flood said the frontline agencies are struggling to cope with the 2000 jobs lost this year through the Service Delivery Reform program and the Government's 1.5 per cent, 'efficiency dividend' cut.
"When the Government increases their 'efficiency dividend' cut to 4 per cent from 1 July 2012, it will remove a further $90 million from DHS putting enormous pressure on an already over-stretched network.
"Frontline staff are telling us the extra cuts mean these agencies will struggle to meet customers' basic needs on disability, retirement and New Start inquiries.
"Summer is a particularly busy time with Centrelink and Medicare staff often called on to provide direct support to families affected by floods, bushfires and cyclones.
"This summer the Government may discover that you can't rip the heart out of the public service without the public noticing.
"DHS staff do a fantastic job but they are telling us clearly they need more support and that these cuts will make their already tough job even more difficult," Ms Flood said.
www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/agency-staff-report-increased-mistakes/story-fn59niix-1226219566410
A NEW survey reveals that more than 50 per cent of staff from agencies including Centrelink, Medicare and the Child support agency are reporting that more mistakes are being made because of the Gillard Government's efficiency dividend.
A CPSU poll of more than a thousand frontline staff from agencies in the Department of Human Services (DHS) portfolio this week has revealed that more than two thirds of employees are reporting an increase in customer waiting times.
Other survey results include 55.2 per cent of staff reported a reduction in quality of services, 53.2 per cent reported more mistakes were being made, 71.4 per cent reported increased workloads and targets and 60.6 per cent reported staff reductions and/or unfilled positions.
And a further 50.2 per cent reported difficulty accessing their leave entitlements.
Unions have warned that the planned $1.5 billion in public sector spending cuts will lead to the loss of up to 3000 jobs and reduced services across key agencies including Medicare, Centrelink and Customs.
The Community and Public Sector Union has condemned last week's decision to increase the efficiency dividend from 1.5 per cent to 4 per cent next financial year, claiming the move would cause families to wait longer for entitlements and assistance.
To achieve the cuts, agencies will be required to cut consultants and contractors, use teleconferencing instead of travel, reduce spending on hospitality and entertainment, and cut advertising.
CPSU National Secretary Nadine Flood said the frontline agencies are struggling to cope with the 2000 jobs lost this year through the Service Delivery Reform program and the Government's 1.5 per cent, 'efficiency dividend' cut.
"When the Government increases their 'efficiency dividend' cut to 4 per cent from 1 July 2012, it will remove a further $90 million from DHS putting enormous pressure on an already over-stretched network.
"Frontline staff are telling us the extra cuts mean these agencies will struggle to meet customers' basic needs on disability, retirement and New Start inquiries.
"Summer is a particularly busy time with Centrelink and Medicare staff often called on to provide direct support to families affected by floods, bushfires and cyclones.
"This summer the Government may discover that you can't rip the heart out of the public service without the public noticing.
"DHS staff do a fantastic job but they are telling us clearly they need more support and that these cuts will make their already tough job even more difficult," Ms Flood said.
www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/agency-staff-report-increased-mistakes/story-fn59niix-1226219566410