Post by Banker on Feb 8, 2012 7:47:36 GMT 7
The PR spin over Centrelink slowly becomes clearer
By Hans Lovejoy
in
Byron Bay Centrelink refurbishment
The muddied waters over the Department of Human Services’ decision to refurbish and install more computers at Byron Bay Centrelink is beginning to clear.
Community workers raised concerns with the media that many of the jobs at the Byron office were relocated to Brunswick some time ago despite the department’s media releases that spruiked improved services.
The department’s message also claimed that ‘no jobs will be lost,’ and that ‘there are no changes to face-to-face services.’
Another claim was that, ‘…those in exceptional circumstances have always and will continue to be given immediate and personal access to support at the Byron Bay service centre.’
Community workers and Centrelink clients, however, presented a very different view.
Cat Seddon, welfare officer for the Byron Community Centre, told The Echo that Monday last week, a distressed young woman with a two-year-old came in to seek assistance as she was just evicted from her Byron Bay home. The woman told Ms Seddon that she needed Centrelink’s assistance straight away and was told by the Byron office that she could only have an appointment in Brunswick Heads.
When The Echo asked the minister whether this would be considered an ‘exceptional circumstance,’ his spokesperson replied, ‘Departmental staff would welcome more details about the reported incident to establish what happened and what assistance can be offered to the customer in question.’
They added the government is beginning a consultation with community partners to clarify any concerns arising from the refurbishments and has offered to follow up the individual experiences.
Di Mahoney from the Byron Youth Service says its staff are concerned that the changes will affect young people who already find the Centrelink system ‘fairly baffling to understand and navigate.’ She says having a ‘real person to speak to is important for young people to learn about their benefits most effectively.’ The portfolio belonged to MP Tanya Plibersek up until eight weeks ago, the minister’s spokesperson added.
goo.gl/h40on
By Hans Lovejoy
in
Byron Bay Centrelink refurbishment
The muddied waters over the Department of Human Services’ decision to refurbish and install more computers at Byron Bay Centrelink is beginning to clear.
Community workers raised concerns with the media that many of the jobs at the Byron office were relocated to Brunswick some time ago despite the department’s media releases that spruiked improved services.
The department’s message also claimed that ‘no jobs will be lost,’ and that ‘there are no changes to face-to-face services.’
Another claim was that, ‘…those in exceptional circumstances have always and will continue to be given immediate and personal access to support at the Byron Bay service centre.’
Community workers and Centrelink clients, however, presented a very different view.
Cat Seddon, welfare officer for the Byron Community Centre, told The Echo that Monday last week, a distressed young woman with a two-year-old came in to seek assistance as she was just evicted from her Byron Bay home. The woman told Ms Seddon that she needed Centrelink’s assistance straight away and was told by the Byron office that she could only have an appointment in Brunswick Heads.
When The Echo asked the minister whether this would be considered an ‘exceptional circumstance,’ his spokesperson replied, ‘Departmental staff would welcome more details about the reported incident to establish what happened and what assistance can be offered to the customer in question.’
They added the government is beginning a consultation with community partners to clarify any concerns arising from the refurbishments and has offered to follow up the individual experiences.
Di Mahoney from the Byron Youth Service says its staff are concerned that the changes will affect young people who already find the Centrelink system ‘fairly baffling to understand and navigate.’ She says having a ‘real person to speak to is important for young people to learn about their benefits most effectively.’ The portfolio belonged to MP Tanya Plibersek up until eight weeks ago, the minister’s spokesperson added.
goo.gl/h40on