3,000 new employees of Services Australia will tackle the increased wait times across the country.
Bill Shorten, Minister of Government Services visited Bendigo to introduce the 11 Bendigo locals who joined the force at the beginning of the year.
Minister Shorten calls government services an Australian right.
The Federal Government is building up the Services Australia Workforce to meet the needs of Australians, including people here in Central Victoria.
Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, says the 11 extra staff in Bendigo will help
improve access to Centrelink payments and services.
“As well as the Robodebt catastrophe, the Liberals slashed jobs at Services Australia, just as
Australians were emerging from the colossal Covid-19 pandemic,” Chesters says.
“People work at Services Australia because they want to make a difference and the
thousands of applications the agency received for these roles are a testament to that.
“These new permanent jobs will help all Bendigo residents who access government
services.
“It’s also a welcome boost for Services Australia’s dedicated staff who have been feeling the
pressures of under-resourcing and can now focus on providing the best possible service to
Australians.”
Staff were recruited across the country, including a bolstering of interpreters to help the agency engage with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
“These extra resources are also on top of the additional 850 emergency response staff
announced in the Federal Budget,” Chesters says.
“This boost will deliver a better government service experience for all Australians.”
