Minister for Finance, Minister for Women, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Government Services
New data has highlighted the difference that a well-resourced public service plays in providing essential support to Queenslanders impacted by recent flooding in the Townsville area.
Since the deluge began on 29 January, Services Australia service officers and social workers have been providing support at a number of service centres in Townsville and across the North Queensland region.
These hubs have provided in-person assistance to around 500 people already, and across the state, have helped to process nearly $4 million in support payments to those affected.
The Albanese Government offers several support payments for people affected by flooding, including the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).
It comes as Minister Katy Gallagher tours Queensland this week to emphasise the importance of defending frontline services and APS jobs, and the risk posed by Peter Dutton who has repeatedly promised to slash 36,000 jobs across the country.
This would have a significant effect on services the Townsville community relies on and lead to delays for disaster recovery payments, longer times on hold to Centrelink, blown out approval times for veterans' claims, and delays for newborn babies to be enrolled in Medicare.
Thousands of people reliant on government services in Townsville, including over 34,000 with a pension concession card, almost 13,000 with a health care card, and close to 12,000 people receiving assistance through the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
Every single one of these Townsville locals would feel the impact of Peter Dutton's cuts to these services.
Dutton's plan threatens the progress made by the Albanese Government, which has been hard at work since 2022 rebuilding the APS' capacity to deliver the services Australians expect and deserve - like processing disaster recovery payments and providing support when Queenslanders need it most.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Public Service, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher
"These hardworking frontline staff deserve our thanks and gratitude for stepping up and helping the community in its time of need.
"This is exactly what a well-resourced public service is designed to do - provide those essential services that Australians expect and deserve.
"Peter Dutton's plan to slash public servant positions across Queensland will put this work at risk. When families are already doing it tough, the last thing they need are delays to crucial government payments.
"Rather than the lazy conservative cutting, we should be investing in a strong public service to deliver the services that Townsville locals need and deserve."
Quotes attributable to Nita Green, Senator for Queensland
"Public servants work incredibly hard for their communities, and you can see that especially when disasters strike.
"Dutton and the LNP claim to be the party for the regions, yet they will cut thousands of public service jobs in Townsville without a second thought.
"Sacking these public servants will not only be disastrous for thousands of families, but it will have real life impacts on some of our most vulnerable Australians.
"Only an Albanese Labor Government will protect these workers and the incredible job they do for their communities"
Quotes attributable to Edwina Andrew, Labor candidate for Herbert
"Proudly, there are around 2,000 Townsville residents who work in our public service, looking after other locals and ensuring that top quality services are provided.
"These jobs are important and should be protected."
