The Latest Breaking News from Hank Jongen

Services Australia has not applied child support law properly and some parents are owed money, report finds

Ombudsman says agency knew for years that part of its child support processing not in line with law

The Guardian - AU · Jan 26

Centrelink illegally cancelled Daniel’s jobseeker payment. He fought back against the system – and won

After taking his case to the administrative review tribunal, Daniel’s complaint then went to the commonwealth ombudsman, which is now investigating Centrelink

The Guardian - AU · Oct 17, 2025

Services Australia announces plans to move out of two of its Canberra offices

More than 1400 public servants will be impacted by the move.

The Canberra Times · Nov 13, 2024

‘Financial abuse’: how a debit scheme to help vulnerable Australians led to exploitation instead

A Guardian investigation has revealed that Centrepay is exposing scores of welfare recipients to financial harm. Advocates say the government must act now

The Guardian - AU · Apr 5, 2024

‘I just kept paying’: Indigenous people are being exploited by businesses using Centrepay debit scheme

Many of those who sign up are from regional or remote communities, speak English as a second or third language and have limited access to clothing, household goods and services

The Guardian - AU · Mar 29, 2024

Jobseeker endured 11 weeks without Centrelink payments but was still forced to attend job agency appointments

Advocates say government failing to meet ‘basic obligation’ to process claims quickly after Tim McCabe spent weeks with ‘no income’

The Guardian - AU · Jan 20, 2024

Majority of Centrelink payments facing significant delays since Labor took office

New documents reveal 27 of 32 claim types including jobseeker experiencing blowout in wait times after return to pre-pandemic staffing levels

The Guardian - AU · Oct 26, 2023

Hours on hold, repeated calls, months of delay: Maryanne’s struggle to get urgent jobseeker payments

Even as a former staff member, Maryanne Watts was shocked at how long it took to get urgent assistance. Experts says she is not alone

The Guardian - AU · Aug 6, 2023

Services Australia forced to review hiring process after 11 promotions overturned

The agency said it has "refocused" its processes after the promotions watchdog's slap on the wrist.

The Canberra Times · Nov 3, 2022

Centrelink seizes $13,000 of jobseeker’s compensation after work for the dole injury

Mick Smart says ‘catastrophic’ back injury destroyed his life as he now battles to receive a disability support pension

The Guardian - AU · Aug 29, 2022