News
Services Australia resources boost welcome but overdue
16th Feb 2024
The 3000 extra staff appointed recently at Services Australia are welcome and should provide much needed support to this critical service provider, says the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA).
“Legislative reform is also needed to improve outcomes for vulnerable people however this investment in more staff is a welcome interim step,” said Shaun Marcus, National President, Australian Lawyers Alliance. “We are pleased to see the Federal Government and the agency recognise the urgency and importance of the problem.
“People have been waiting for months to have Services Australia process their claims and the need for more resources has been urgent. These delays have been causing significant distress for our clients across Australia.”
The Australian Lawyers Alliance is a membership association for legal professionals and most members work with people who have been injured and receive compensation.
After many years of delays in Services Australia’s claims processing, which has affected the speed at which compensation payments are made, this investment in more staff will provide a short-term solution. However, the ALA is calling for further reform of the legislation and regulation that guides Services Australia’s practices.
“For our clients and their families, their lives are often on hold until their claims can be processed by Services Australia and many experience serious financial strain as a result,” said Mr Marcus. “We have ongoing concerns about delays in processing clearance requests. Law reform could fix this and provide a long term and cost-effective solution.
“We will continue to work with Services Australia and the Federal Government to improve outcomes for the vulnerable people who are impacted by these processing delays.”
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