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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Sarah Basford Canales and Cait Kelly

Centrelink officials recalled to Senate estimates after failing to answer ‘basic questions’

Centrelink Bill Shorten Paul Fletcher Janet Rice Maria Kovacic Greens Services Australia
Shadow minister for government services Paul Fletcher
Shadow minister for government services Paul Fletcher says minister Bill Shorten has allowed Centrelink to become a ‘basket case’. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Centrelink officials will be forced to return to a Senate estimates grilling after the federal government agency failed to answer “basic questions” about growing call and payment wait times.

The Greens and the opposition announced on Thursday they had teamed up to recall Services Australia, the agency who delivers the Centrelink program, after its “unacceptable” appearance at a recent estimates hearing.

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