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MEDIA RELEASE - MASSIVE BLOWOUT IN CENTRELINK PAYMENT WAIT TIMES UNDER LABOR
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
27 October 2023
MASSIVE BLOWOUT IN CENTRELINK PAYMENT WAIT TIMES UNDER LABOR
Australians are waiting much longer than before to receive vital Centrelink payments since the Albanese Labor Government took office.
New data disclosed by Services Australia after sustained pressure from the Opposition shows that the time it takes to process claims has massively blown out.
The below table, using data disclosed by Services Australia during Senate Estimates on 25 October 2023, shows examples of the average number of days taken to process a claim.
Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy Paul Fletcher said the new data reveals it is taking more than three months for some people to receive much needed financial support.
“Families are struggling through a cost of living crisis and they need vital Centrelink payments to hit their bank accounts as quickly as possible. Instead, Australians are experiencing a government that operates at a snail’s pace,” Mr Fletcher said.
“You could drive around Australia faster than you would receive some of these payments. It’s embarrassing.
“These figures are unacceptable. Government Services Minister Bill Shorten is presiding over a dysfunctional agency.
“It comes as no surprise given call wait times have also gone through the roof under Labor and Services Australia’s most recent annual report revealed the agency was failing to meet its own KPIs.
“If Bill Shorten was the CEO of a major private sector company, he would have been sacked by now for gross incompetence.
“The Albanese Labor Government must get Services Australia back on track, starting with a root and branch review of its operations and a return to top quality customer service.”
Media contact: William Sparling | 0416 628 276 | [email protected]
