MEDIA RELEASE - LABOR’S MASSIVE CENTRELINK CLAIMS BACKLOG LEAVES STRUGGLING AUSTRALIANS IN THE DARK

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

1 March 2024

LABOR’S MASSIVE CENTRELINK CLAIMS BACKLOG LEAVES STRUGGLING AUSTRALIANS IN THE DARK 

 

More than 130,00 Australians have been left to languish while waiting for vital Centrelink payments because of the Albanese Labor Government’s massive claims backlog.

According to new data disclosed by Services Australia in Senate Estimates, as at 31 December 2023, 133,153 claims had been on hand for longer than the agency’s internal timeliness standard.

The table below records the number of claims held by the agency as at 31 December 2023 that were over standard.

At Senate Estimates in February, agency officials confirmed that there was a backlog of 1.1 million new claims across Centrelink and Medicare.

Shadow Minister for Government Services Paul Fletcher said the claims backlog and delayed processing times are a reminder of Labor’s incompetence. 

“Labor has made this cost of living crisis worse by failing to address the massive claims backlog at Services Australia,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Delivering welfare payments to Australians quickly and efficiently is the agency’s core job. But these figures demonstrate that Services Australia’s isn’t up to the task.

“Bill Shorten’s poor decision making has exacerbated the situation, by reducing the agency’s average staffing levels and mismanaging this crucial portfolio.

“Services Australia is in crisis under the Albanese Government and struggling families in need of assistance deserve better.

“I reiterate the Opposition's call for there to be a root and branch review to get this vital agency back on track.”

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