The Latest Breaking News from Bill Shorten

Disability advocate hits back at ‘misleading’ claims that NDIS funding is incentivising autism diagnoses

Chief of Children and Young People with Disability Australia says families are simply seeking help for their children, with the NDIS ‘the only place to turn’

The Guardian - AU · Nov 22, 2023

Australia's rates of autism should be celebrated – but real-life impact, not diagnosis, should determine NDIS support

Ahead of the release of the government’s review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the topic taking centre stage is the diagnosis of autism. Over one third of people accessing the scheme list it as a primary disability.

The Conversation · Nov 21, 2023

Marie had cancer and needed to reach Centrelink. Like millions of Australians, she couldn’t get through

More unanswered calls, growing delays for payments to be processed, all while staff head for the exit. Is Centrelink facing a new crisis?

The Guardian - AU · Nov 18, 2023

Staffing boost returns humans to Centrelink services

Thousands more frontline workers are being hired to improve Centrelink and Medicare services, in line with recommendations from the robodebt royal commission.

AAP · Nov 5, 2023

‘Scam-in-a-box’: MyGov suspends thousands of accounts linked to dark web fraud kits

Exclusive: Scams utilise phishing attacks on Centrelink, ATO and Medicare accounts using obtained login details

The Guardian - AU · Nov 5, 2023

Services Australia targets call wait times with 3000 extra staff

About 500 staff will be in Canberra.

The Canberra Times · Nov 5, 2023

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

Request for welfare agency to return on 7 November follows ‘unnaceptable’ October hearing about growing call and payment wait times

The Guardian - AU · Nov 2, 2023

Centrelink issues 2.8m busy messages to callers in only two months as wait times blow out

Crossbench MPs raise alarm with minister as Services Australia data shows only 23% of calls were answered in July and August

The Guardian - AU · Oct 25, 2023

Security to be stepped up after public servant stabbing

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten has unveiled a security overhaul following a May attack on a frontline welfare staffer.

AAP · Oct 13, 2023

Independent MP pushes for action on robodebt repairs

MP Kate Chaney will push for a parliamentary committee to be established to ensure recommendations from the robodebt royal commission are delivered.

AAP · Oct 12, 2023