LPT: if anybody needs to but can’t get through to Centrelink, go into one of the services Australia branch. If they can’t fix your problem, they’ll connect you to an internal number which doesn’t just hang up on you.
It’s fucking disgraceful that they don’t even answer the phone anymore. Seriously one of the stupidest things they’ve rolled out. There’s no ifs or buts about it, it’s disgusting and needs to stop.
You can also try calling the complaints number and they can do the same thing as the branch people, but I’ve heard conflicting reports about this. It used to be how you had to get through, but I’ve heard recently that sometimes that number just hangs up on you too. But if they do answer, they’ll will usually just put you through to a non hanging up number, at least if it means you won’t make them do the paperwork to lodge a complaint.
Also, when you do get through, please try to remember that they’re just minimum wage people doing a shitty job. They don’t make the phones hang up on you, and they aren’t the reason your claims take months to process, or you were underpaid, or whatever’s gone wrong. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. You can express your annoyance to them, but abusing or yelling at them doesn’t fix the problem, and won’t make them answer quicker.
If you really want somebody to yell at, write a letter or email to your local MP. Or the minister for social services. Or anyone else who’s penny pinching tactics caused this whole mess
Also remember you’ll get through this soon, even though it doesn’t feel like it in the moment
Wow! Why didn’t they think of that???
You’re becoming a bit of a revolutionary here! Maybe you should figure out how to solve world hunger next…
Honestly, the majority of people I know on Centrelink CHOOSE to work minimal hours, but are fully capable of working full time… Or, simply choose not to work because they want a specific job
That doesn’t apply to everyone (I know tradies with silicosis now as an example who were CRAZY hard workers but can’t work). And I know people with genuine mental issues who need more help there or are disabled
There is definitely a lot of abuse in the system as it stands unfortunately and making Centrelink less of an inconvenience doesn’t really make a lot of sense…
They’d be far better off spending that money on mental health funding, or Parks VIC (our parks at the moment are mainly supported by volunteers)
There is definitely a lot of abuse in the system as it stands unfortunately and making Centrelink less of an inconvenience doesn’t really make a lot of sense…
there is abuse of the NDIS too, but what do we do, stuff the NDIS participants and throw the baby out with the bathwater?
Needs to be managed a shit ton better, I agree. But we cant screw those who are vulnerable who are doing the right thing for “justice”.
Are we actually screwing people though, or simply inconveniencing them though? They can still get in contact… Just not as quickly.
That’s my point…
Centrelink doesn’t necessarily need to provide FAST service… I can’t imagine anything they do is an actual emergency.
Whereas, there are so many services we have that are for ACTUAL emergencies, and require fast service, where the money would save lives.
