Queues outside Brookvale Centrelink as hundreds seek help after coronavirus shutdown
With their jobs disappearing due to the COVID-19 shutdown, hundreds of northern beaches residents have queued outside Centrelink to sign up for financial help, including one woman who said her ‘whole industry is gone overnight.’
Manly
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Hundreds of people who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus shutdown have been forced to queue for more than two hours to sign up for financial help from the Federal Government.
People who used to work in industries including hospitality, entertainment and sport and fitness began lining up outside the Centrelink office at Brookvale since early Monday morning.
At 10.30am people in the queue were being advised there would be a more than two hour wait to see a Centrelink staffer.
The MyGov website also crashed, stopping people accessing Centrelink services online.
On Sunday NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that non-essential services, including
pubs, registered clubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and nightclubs would be temporarily shut down.
Supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and logistics, and home delivery are among services that will remain open.
Those who have lost their jobs can apply for the Jobseeker Allowance income support payment plus an added coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight on top for the next six months.
It is part of the second stage of the Morrison government’s plan to cushion the
economic impact of the coronavirus.
Krissy Bryant, 27, of Manly, just lost her job in the live music industry.
Ms Bryant, a mother of a two-year-old boy, worked for Select Music for five years, one of the biggest live music booking agencies in the country.
“We have 170 artists on our roster,” she said. “But if they’re got nowhere to play, then they don’t need anyone to make their bookings.
“If they can’t work, then I can’t work. The whole industry is gone overnight.”
Tom Crerar, 28, of Allambie Heights, was also in the Centrelink queue.
Mr Crerar had been working for a business that provided rugby league and rugby union coaching in primary and secondary schools. He also worked casually as barman around Sydney.
“I’ve been hit with the double whammy — no school sport and no bars opening.
“But I’ve still got rent to pay, power bills to pay. That’s why I’m in this line.”
Federal Liberal MP for Mackellar Jason Falinski said the total of $189 billion being injected into the economy by all arms of government will help keep northern beaches residents in work and businesses in business.
“Northern Beaches workers and business owners will not be left behind. The government is
here for you, and together we will get through this.” Mr Falinski said.
He said the economic support package includes:
• Support for households including casuals, sole-traders, retirees and those on income
support
• Assistance for businesses to keep people in a job
• Regulatory protection and financial support for businesses to stay in business
“The objective here is to ensure that when this crisis has passed, which it will, Australian businesses can bounce back,” Mr Falinski said.
“This will be temporary. That’s why all our actions are aimed at keeping more people in work, enhancing the safety net for those who aren’t and keeping businesses alive so they can get to the other side and their employees can return to work as quickly as possible.”
Mr Falinski acknowledge the long lines at Brookvale, and waiting on the phone for Centrelink, was frustrating.
“Services Australia are increasing their workforce by up to 5000 staff, to assist with delivery of the new government measures.
“I know the long lines at Brookvale and waiting times on the phone are frustrating. The staff at Services NSW are working as hard as they can and the government is providing every resource necessary.”