Bradfield MP Paul Fletcher prepares to tackle social services role following leadership spill

SUPPORTING the most vulnerable people in our community is a job new Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher does not take lightly.

Paul Fletcher MP (left) shakes hands with Australian Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove after being sworn-in as Australian Families Minister during a ceremony at Government House in Canberra, Tuesday, August 28, 2018. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

SUPPORTING the most vulnerable people in our community is a job new Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher does not take lightly.

The Bradfield federal Liberal MP was appointed to the role last week by new Prime Minister Scott Morrison following the leadership spill that saw Malcolm Turnbull ousted from the top job.

Mr Fletcher described the events as “an unfortunate distraction”.

“The proposal to change our existing leadership team certainly came as a surprise to me,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Both within the Liberal Party and in the broader community, there has been criticism of the process which led to this change.”

Paul Fletcher MP is being sworn-in as Australian Families Minister during a ceremony at Government House in Canberra, Tuesday, August 28, 2018. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Mr Fletcher said he voted for Mr Morrison in the spill and that it was now time to put the government’s promise of “putting the Australian people first” into practice in his new role.

“I am busy getting briefed about my new responsibilities and as part of that I dropped in for a visit to Hornsby Centrelink,” he said. “The majority of payments made through Centrelink fall within the Social Services portfolio.”

Myf Webster supports the homless population of Hornsby at Fusion. Photo: Adam Ward

READ MORE:

Paul Fletcher part of Whatsapp group that sealed Bishop’s fate

Paul Fletcher calls for Ku-ring-gai Council action on Lindfield Hub

The minister said that, at a local level, he would support more than 8500 elderly residents on the aged pension and more than 4000 families who received the family tax benefit.

“Having represented our area for nearly nine years I know that it is much more varied than the stereotype of the ‘leafy north shore’ might suggest,” he said.

Bradfield MP Paul Fletcher said it was time to get on with the job following the leadership spill. Picture: Toby Zerna

“People’s circumstances vary widely — and there are certainly plenty of people who depend on payments and benefits provided through the ... portfolio.

“That is something that I will not forget as I go about my work as minister.”

Mr Fletcher will oversee the distribution of around $115 billion a year, including emergency relief funding for victims of the drought, the National Disability Insurance Agency and the National Childcare Council.