Services Australia Secures $314 Million Funding to Boost Security

Services Australia will receive $314 million ($207 million) in funding from the federal government to boost the safety and security of its centres nationwide. This initiative, which includes improving staff and customer safety, was brought about by a violent attack on a Services Australia staff member at a Centrelink Melbourne Airport West Branch in May 2023. The staff member was severely injured after being stabbed in the back. The assault was one of the 9,000 incidents of aggression at Centrelink, Medicare, and Aged Pension offices from 2022 to 2023. Most of these service centres are located in local community hubs and shopping centres. Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten assigned former Chief Police Commissioner of Victoria Police Graham Ashton to conduct a review of Service Australia’s safety and security measures. It includes evaluating the efficiency of the agency’s work health and safety system and its approach toward customers exhibiting aggressive behaviour....