Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Since 16 March 2020, Services Australia have processed more than one million jobseeker claims. That's more than double the number of claims we would have processed last year. In the space of six weeks, we've done the equivalent of two years' normal work. This is in addition to the millions of Australians who have accessed our services for health, welfare, child support payments and other services that Services Australia provide to everyday Australians. We have also been able to extend the jobseeker phone line hours from 8 am to 8 pm on workdays. Can I once again extend my thanks to the Australian public for their extraordinary patience as they have had to interact with these new systems as we have got them up and running with the most extraordinary speed.

Can I also thank and acknowledge the extraordinary work of the staff at Services Australia. The frontline staff have had to deal with people who are in very, very distressing circumstances. I thank them for the passion and dedication they have exhibited as they have dealt with Australians who are in extraordinarily vulnerable times.