Centrelink employee begs for release from role to help process claims

A Centrelink worker has shared her plea to the Government, asking for staff in several roles to be released to process claims for those left without jobs.

A Centrelink worker has spoken out about her frustrations towards the Australian Government, begging to be released from an office role to process claims for community members who have lost their jobs.

The woman, who asked not to be named, revealed her breaking point to the Courier Mail as the coronavirus has continued to strain Australian communities.

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Read her desperate plea in full:

Today I broke.

Like so many other people in essential jobs, I broke.

I am a Centrelink worker, but I feel helpless because the wheels of government are turning too slowly to allow me to jump on the phones or to process a claim.

I have a high level job that is not face-to-face but I know how to process a claim.

I work with the legislation everyday.

I can learn the new database quicker than someone off the street could.

I can help as can my colleagues.

I have had 3 hours sleep.

Today I cried at work. I truly cried.

I cried because my daughter is about to lose her business.

She has three children she receives no child support for because her ex-husband is non compliant.

I cried because another daughter lost her job with the state government last week.

It will take her claim parenting claim 4-6 weeks to get processed.

I cried because my parents are elderly and have underlying medical conditions.

If they get COVID-19, there prospects aren’t good.

Like so many people in the world today I will not get an opportunity to hug them one last time.

I am one of the few lucky ones who has a job but I feel so useless because I can’t help anyone.

To my boss the Minister I say release those staff who sit behind desks working on projects or reviewing decisions.

Release those staff who like me have worked previously at the coal face and processed claims. We can do it, we want to do it.

We are ready now.