CENTRELINK and Medicare services will continue in Mornington, but with a scaled down privately-run service.
The new agency, to open 15 hours over three days a week, is designed to “complement” existing services run out of Rosebud and Frankston offices.
Flinders MP Greg Hunt, although seemingly not given any warning of the closures by his Cabinet colleague Stuart Robert, has claimed credit for retaining the Centrelink and Medicare services in the town.
“I’ve listened to the concerns of residents and advocated directly to the minister and his office. Following two weeks of advocacy, I am pleased to say a new agent service can ensure a continuation of Centrelink and Medicare services in Mornington,” Mr Hunt said in a news release on Friday (21 February).
Peta Murphy, the Labor MP for Dunkley, said Mornington was being “short changed” as the services to be closed were open 40 hours over five days.
“Instead of pushing for the vital service to stay open, Mr Hunt has announced that his proposal is that a community group be contracted to provide only 15 hours a week assistance to people who need help with Centrelink and Medicare.
“Unfortunately, this is too little and too late.”
Ms Murphy said Frankston Centrelink and Medicare would have to “take on more people when it is already overwhelmed with work”.
“How long will this inadequate replacement service last before it too is shut down?”
Mr Hunt’s announcement follows outrage at a decision by federal government services minister Stuart Robert to shut the two Main Street offices on 23 March (“Centrelink shutdown” The Times 11/2/20).
The mayor Cr Sam Hearn described that decision as a “real kick in the guts” and a “terrible outcome for the community in terms of the challenges it creates making it really hard on families who rely of those services”.
The federal government has now called for expressions of interest from private operators to run the service which will allow customers to “access Centrelink, Medicare and other Australian Government services within Mornington”.
Tenders, to close Tuesday 10 March, call for an agency which could provide a face-to-face information service and free self-help facilities, including an internet enabled computer, wi-fi, telephone and scanner/photocopier/printer to “help people do their business with us”, the tender advertisement states.
Mr Hunt said he had “confirmed” that staff from Mornington Centrelink and Medicare would keep be able to keep their jobs if they agreed to work at Rosebud or Frankston.
While Centrelink clients were “increasingly choosing to use different options, such as internet-based services, to access government support, it is important that those who wish to have a face-to-face interaction [can], as well as assistance [with] training … to access newer opportunities online.”
Mr Hunt said the Centrelink agency would “add to an extensive network of around 350 agents across Australia”.
First published in the Frankston Times – 25 February 2020
