More than 1100 people have signed a Parliamentary petition condemning the closure of the Benalla Offfice, calling for the decision to be reversed as a matter of urgency.
The face-to-face services offered by Benalla Centrelink were replaced by an “agent service” in July 2021.
Labor Candidate for the Federal seat of Indi, Nadia David, said the decision was made by Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds without any consultation with the Benalla community.
“We are in the middle of a pandemic where many people are facing hard times and need the support of government services,” Ms David said.
“It’s appalling that the... government is turning its back on the people of Benalla and downgrading services like this.
“Benalla Centrelink is an essential service and regional towns need more investment in public service not less.
“I have already spoken with many people at our lakeside market stalls about how this closure is making life harder for them.
“This matter goes to the heart of what kind of government and society we need.
“It shows the failure of the current government to support people in regional Australia.
“I’m determined to keep fighting alongside the people of Benalla until we restore this essential service.”
Ms David said the “agent service” provided access to phone and digital services and was considered by many to be a poor substitute for a staffed Centrelink office.
People in Benalla have to travel to Wangaratta to access face-to-face advice.
A spokesperson for Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds said the five-day a week local agent service is more reliable and sustainable than when Benalla had a Centrelink office, which was only open four days per week.
“The previous arrangement was a visiting service from Wangaratta that had been suspended for over 12 months due to COVID-19 restrictions,” the Spokesperson said.
“The new... Agent Service on Nunn Street, has increased the operating hours... for local residents from 25 hours per week to 30 hours.
"The Agent Service is also supporting a well-known local organisation as well as local jobs in the region and feedback from the residents... has been very positive.
“Labor’s record on service centres is of real concern. Under the last Labor Government, when Anthony Albanese was a Minister, Labor closed around 100 service centres.”
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