JOINT MEDIA RELEASE - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS WAITING LONGER TO RECEIVE VITAL CRISIS PAYMENT FROM CENTRELINK

THE HON PAUL FLETCHER MP

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy

Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts

Manager of Opposition Business in the House 

THE HON SUSSAN LEY MP 

Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Shadow Minister for Industry, Skills and Training

Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business

Shadow Minister for Women

SENATOR KERRYNNE LIDDLE

Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 7 June 2024

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS WAITING LONGER TO RECEIVE VITAL CRISIS PAYMENT FROM CENTRELINK

Australians living in extreme circumstances, including those impacted by family and domestic violence, are waiting longer under the Albanese Labor Government to receive Centrelink’s Crisis Payment.

Figures revealed during Senate Estimates show that it currently takes five days on average to process this payment, despite Services Australia setting itself a standard of two days.

In 2021-22, under the Coalition, it took Services Australia two days to process a Crisis Payment claim.

The Crisis Payment is a one-off non-taxable payment if someone has experienced an extreme circumstance and are in severe financial hardship. Examples include experiencing domestic violence or having to leave your home due to a natural disaster.

Shadow Minister for Government Services Paul Fletcher said the revelation is very concerning, especially since the payment supports some of the most vulnerable in the community.

“Families living in extreme circumstances shouldn’t face any delays. Their claims should be prioritised and expedited,” Mr Fletcher said.

“These figures point to a shambolic agency unable to do its job properly and in serious need of reform.

“Government Services Minister Bill Shorten needs to explain to the public why this payment’s processing time has been allowed to worsen under his watch.”

Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Women Sussan Ley called on Government Services Minister Bill Shorten to take personal responsibility for failing to get vital support to women fleeing domestic violence urgently.

“Because of decisions made by Bill Shorten, the time it takes Services Australia to pay out these crisis payments to women in urgent need has more than doubled from when the Coalition was in government,” she said.

“I want a guarantee from Bill Shorten that he will fix this issue immediately, this is not on the staff of Services Australia, it is on him.

“Making matters worse while women wait for these critical payments Bill Shorten is paying a personal speech writer over $600,000 to help him look good. He has his priorities completely wrong and is failing to do his job.”

Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence Senator Kerrynne Liddle said: “This blow-out in response times for those desperate for help is on top of a failure to deliver the promised 500 new community and frontline workers in the family violence sector and the mismanagement of immigration detainees means Australians are less safe and in a worse position.

“Any delay in assisting people in vulnerable circumstances must be fixed without delay to reduce potential for making a bad situation worse.”

Media contact: William Sparling | 0416 628 276 | [email protected]