Post by Banker on Dec 13, 2011 19:21:47 GMT 7
Incoming Human Services Minister Brendan O’Connor will be immediately put to the test in his new portfolio, following reports today that one third of all Centrelink rulings are being overturned on appeal.
Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services Kevin Andrews said today that such figures were indicative of the decline of the agency under the Gillard Government.
“I hope Brendan O’Connor is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work, because he’s got a big job ahead of him to get this agency back on track,” Mr Andrews said.
“Centrelink is spiralling out of control. Welfare fraud is running rampant, the quality of service delivery is at an all-time low, and we’ve had damning reports from both the ANAO and Commonwealth Ombudsman exposing deficiencies in Centrelink’s review and appeals processes. The previous Minister sat on her hands and watched the situation get worse. Will Brendan O’Connor do likewise?”
Mr Andrews said the Australian public were “fed up” with Centrelink. “They won’t tolerate these blunders any longer, and nor should they.”
Mr Andrews challenged Mr O’Connor to immediately confront the issues plaguing Centrelink. “Certainly his first order of business once he’s sworn in should be to fix this mess,” Mr Andrews said.
“The decline of Centrelink has been allowed to continue for too long under this government. The first thing Mr O’Connor should do as Minister is stand up and announce what, if anything, he is going to do to get this agency under control.”
www.liberal.org.au/Latest-News/2011/12/13/Clean-Up-Centrelink-Mess.aspx
Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services Kevin Andrews said today that such figures were indicative of the decline of the agency under the Gillard Government.
“I hope Brendan O’Connor is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work, because he’s got a big job ahead of him to get this agency back on track,” Mr Andrews said.
“Centrelink is spiralling out of control. Welfare fraud is running rampant, the quality of service delivery is at an all-time low, and we’ve had damning reports from both the ANAO and Commonwealth Ombudsman exposing deficiencies in Centrelink’s review and appeals processes. The previous Minister sat on her hands and watched the situation get worse. Will Brendan O’Connor do likewise?”
Mr Andrews said the Australian public were “fed up” with Centrelink. “They won’t tolerate these blunders any longer, and nor should they.”
Mr Andrews challenged Mr O’Connor to immediately confront the issues plaguing Centrelink. “Certainly his first order of business once he’s sworn in should be to fix this mess,” Mr Andrews said.
“The decline of Centrelink has been allowed to continue for too long under this government. The first thing Mr O’Connor should do as Minister is stand up and announce what, if anything, he is going to do to get this agency under control.”
www.liberal.org.au/Latest-News/2011/12/13/Clean-Up-Centrelink-Mess.aspx