Daily Telegraph - Bill’s big writer bill as Aussies struggle for payments

More than 232,000 Australians struggling with the cost of living are waiting over three months to be approved for social security, welfare and health payments — including 64,139 who have been waiting 200 days or longer. 

The numbers refer to the time taken for Services Australia to process the applications for payments and get them approved so a regular payment can begin. The exclusive figures come as the man responsible for handing out welfare support — Government Services Minister Bill Shorten — was revealed to have his own personal speechwriter costing taxpayers an astronomical $620,000 over two years. 

Julianne Stewart, who has written speeches for four former Prime Ministers and an ex-Qantas boss, was paid more than an MP to write speeches for Mr Shorten. 

Since 1901, the House has sat for 67 days a year on average — meaning Ms Stewart’s salary would equal $4623 across 134 sitting days in two years if the total contract is paid. 

Ms Stewart is paid $268,000 per year but the department has ear-marked $620,000 for her contract and an official told Senate Estimates it was “likely” that the contract would be exhausted. The writer has been paid $447,516 so far, 

Coalition government services spokesman Paul Fletcher said hiring the writer was “a blatant waste of taxpayers’ money amid a cost of living crisis”. 

“No amount of spin can fix Services Australia’s problems and Bill Shorten needs to get his priorities right,” he said. 

On the delayed processing times, Mr Fletcher said in the current economic climate, families needed applications to be processed “quickly and efficiently.” 

“Vital Centrelink and Medicare claims are gathering dust under the Albanese Labor Government because there is zero focus on delivering great customer service,” Mr Fletcher said. 

“Families are doing it tough and need claims processed quickly and efficiently.’’


Author: Angira Bharadwaj

This article appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 4 June 2024