Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I recently hosted Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, the Minister for Human Services, in my electorate of Bass. We spent a very productive day visiting key department sites in Launceston. A visit to the local Centrelink office was a great opportunity for the minister and me to meet staff who are responsible for the administration of support that the Australian government provides to families, job seekers, students and pensioners.

We also went to Australian Hearing, which provides hearing assessments, hearing devices and rehabilitative programs to assist eligible clients in managing their hearing impairment. The minister and I met some patients who have benefited from this service, which is provided through the Department of Human Services.

The minister and I had the privilege to present awards to two members of the Centrelink call centre in Launceston. Nicole Bailey received a national customer service award, and David Hallett received a 10-year recognition award for his service to the call centre. By all accounts both of these awards were well deserved, and it was a pleasure to meet Nicole, David and their colleagues.

I know that the minister appreciated the opportunity to meet these individuals, who work hard and deliver programs for his department. I commend the work he is doing and thank him and his staff for an enjoyable and productive day in the great seat of Bass, in Tasmania.