Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Government Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Askew for that question. Indeed, I'm delighted to answer this question. Services Australia is truly the engine room of government support for all Australians. Throughout this pandemic, the Morrison government have ensured that services are delivered seamlessly and efficiently when and where they are needed most by Australians. We've quickly and efficiently bolstered the Australian Immunisation Register and myGov. We have applied fast-moving Centrelink payment changes and supported much-needed telehealth items through the MBS. We have also paused debt raising and recovery in lockdown areas in New South Wales and Queensland.

When we make policy decisions, it's Services Australia that's on the receiving end of hundreds of thousands of claims, phone calls and questions. It's now setting and regularly breaking its own records for social security and welfare telephony and processing channels and also now for digital claims. In the past two months alone during these current lockdowns, it has approved over 1.4 million COVID disaster payments totalling $1.33 billion and it's supporting over 900,000 Australians. Yesterday alone more than 1,600 income support customers in New South Wales who have lost more than eight hours work applied for the additional support payment.

There are so many ways to serve our nation either in or out of uniform. On behalf of all Australians I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart—and I'm sure yours—all Services Australia staff for their unwavering focus, urgency and momentum towards supporting Australians during natural disasters. Their work is sometimes an unsung service to their nation. I know many Australians are very grateful for their service.