CPSU in Services Australia

13/09/2024

Guilty - but consequences lacking for those responsible for Robodebt.

CPSU national secretary Melissa Donnelly expresses the union's disappointment in the lack of consequences for those responsible for Robodebt. The Public Service commission found that Ms Campbell, one of two former heads of the Department of Human Services, created and allowed a culture that prevented issues about the scheme from being properly considered within the department, including aggressive and abusive behaviour by a deputy secretary.

CPSU members working on the frontline raised the alarm about the scheme – both with senior Agency management and in public – and their concerns were ignored.

Frontline public servants continue to deal with the consequences of the scheme on those communities they serve and the loss of public trust.

Read more on our website - https://www.cpsu.org.au/CPSU/Content/News/_Incredibly_disappointing___Lack_of_consequences_for_robodebt_s_overseers_slammed.aspx

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14/08/2024

For too long, those at the top of the Robodebt scheme have evaded accountability when they should have been facing the consequences of their actions.

Mel Donnelly was on ABC Radio Canberra chatting with Ross about why this new legislation is important and how it will pave a way for accountability. Have a listen!

12/08/2024

Former agency heads argued that the Public Service Act 1999 meant they couldn't be investigated by the Public Service Commissioner.

The government is changing the legislation this week, so it's clear that they can be.

It's outrageous that they think they are above the law. It's time for accountability.

14/02/2024

Rather than treat staff and clients as human beings with distinct and different needs, senior management’s default setting is to monitor and micromanage

Senator says staff allege they are punished for taking too long.

14/02/2024

13/02/2024

Australia's welfare delivery agency is dealing with a massive backlog of more than one million unprocessed claims, leaving some claimants awaiting months for payments such as the aged pension.

11/12/2023

Make the most of your CPSU member benefits by joining us for a 30-minute lunchtime webinar to learn more about your exclusive member benefits and how to access them.
Session times and registration at: https://cpsuservaus.wufoo.com/forms/qb40yzs1e4oq4t/
The sessions are open to all Services Aus workers but only CPSU member have exclusive access to member benefits.

19/11/2023

More unanswered calls, growing delays for payments to be processed, all while staff head for the exit. Is Centrelink facing a new crisis?

13/11/2023

Yesterday the government responded to the Robo-Debt Royal Commission report. CPSU members will be relieved to hear that all recommendations made in the Robodebt Royal Commission report have been accepted.

This was a deliberate scheme that had far-reaching and devastating consequences for members of the public who were affected, and for Centrelink employees who were forced to implement something that they knew was unethical and illegal.

It is vital that behind each of these accepted recommendations are the resources needed to implement them. As it stands, this is not the case.

Whilst the majority of recommendations were accepted, it is noted 7 recommendations were accepted in principle. The CPSU will be working to ensure the intent of those recommendations are properly implemented, particularly regarding the need for more ‘face to face’ support for customers and increased social workers.

Our members in Services Australia are hopeful that this government is turning the ship around and I urge the Albanese Government not to let them down.

10/11/2023

3,000 more staff in Services Australia is a step in the right direction to address the backlogs and call wait time blowouts.

We will be watching closely to make sure the funding is there to ensure these jobs are permanent and sufficient in dealing with the pressures in the agency.

08/11/2023

It is beyond being in crisis, and it is no longer at breaking point. It is broken.