Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

Labor's recent budget is inflationary and includes too much reckless and unnecessary spending, such as $24 billion on 36,000 additional public servants. Of those, 7½ thousand will be at Services Australia, but the fact is that Services Australia's headcount has already increased under Labor, yet service levels have got worse. The staffing level in February 2024 of 28,570 is almost 2,000 more than in 2021-22. Yet, service levels have collapsed.

If you apply for a low-income card today, it takes 59 days to be processed compared to 16 days under the coalition. If you apply for the aged pension, it takes 84 days compared to 33 days under the coalition. If you apply for dad and partner pay, it takes 51 days compared to 20 under the coalition. If you call up Services Australia to find out what's going on, you'll wait a very long time. If you call the older Australians line, you'll wait on average 46 minutes and 39 seconds, compared to 21½ minutes under us. The average wait on the Employment Services line is 50 minutes and 40 seconds against 24 minutes under us. There are more staff at more cost, yet dramatically worse service levels. Who is the genius who delivered this? It's the member for Maribyrnong.

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