Thread by @SenatorSiewert

An update from me on #Centrelink 👇

My office has been inundated with calls & emails this week from people on Centrelink payments who have not been able to use #MyGov or talk to a Centrelink team member due to the huge spike in people using Centrelink services.

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I know this is very stressful and that many people have either not been paid or had their payments cut off as a result.

#coronavirusaustralia #Centrelink

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Going into the weekend I want to reassure people that my team & I have spent this week following this up with the Minister who has informed me that staff are working to fix a systems error to ensure that people will be paid.

#coronavirusaustralia #Centrelink

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I understand that this has not been effectively communicated to people by Centrelink. I am regularly communicating with the Government that this problem needs to be sorted ASAP.

#coronavirusaustralia #Centrelink

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I also know that there is also a lot of confusion around mutual obligations which are suspended until 31 March with the possibility that this will be extended.

#coronavirusaustralia #Centrelink

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My advice at the moment is that you do not have to be going in for job provider appointments, meetings or work for the dole activities including older jobseekers over 55 years of age (who have different obligations).

#coronavirusaustralia #Centrelink

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I encourage you to stay in contact with your job providers by phone and do any meetings they request over the phone. The Government’s advice on this is not clear and I do not want people to have their payments cut off or disconnected.

#coronavirusaustralia #Centrelink

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My team and I will keep campaigning to have mutual obligations suspended for the remainder of this crisis and make sure that the Government is being clear with you and your job providers.

#coronavirusaustralia #Centrelink

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If you are having an issue with your provider please send us a direct message or phone my office on [phone].

#coronavirusaustralia #Centrelink