MEDIA RELEASE - LABOR LUMINARY SAVAGES SHORTEN’S SERVICES AUSTRALIA SERVICE LEVELS

PAUL FLETCHER MP

Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy

Manager of Opposition Business in the House

MEDIA RELEASE

29 April 2024

LABOR LUMINARY SAVAGES SHORTEN’S SERVICES AUSTRALIA SERVICE LEVELS

A report just issued by the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, established by the Albanese Labor Government and chaired by former Labor Minister Jenny Macklin AC, has been savagely critical of service levels at Services Australia under Bill Shorten.

Citing disastrous Centrelink call wait times, the report makes the following finding: “The Committee is of the view that such poor levels of customer service would not be tolerated in almost any other field of business or public administration.”

The report also makes a range of recommendations on the actions that should be taken by the government to improve the agency’s performance.

Shadow Minister for Government Services Paul Fletcher said the report vindicates the work undertaken by the Coalition over several months to highlight the catastrophic collapse in service levels at Services Australia.

“Government Services Minister Bill Shorten cannot hide from his failures. Even a former senior Labor MP and key industry stakeholders agree that Services Australia is in turmoil and in need of significant reform,” Mr Fletcher said.

“This is a massive own goal for Labor. The Committee has acknowledged in writing that there are a range of customer service challenges at this critically important agency during a cost of living crisis.

“Australians deserve better. I repeat my calls for there to be a root and branch review of Services Australia’s operation to improve performance at this crucial agency.”

The report can be accessed here (sections relevant to Services Australia are on pages 113 and 114): Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee 2024 Report to Government (dss.gov.au)

Media contact: William Sparling | 0416 628 276 | [email protected]