No job cuts in Centrelink, Medicare office relocation
The Department of Human Services says no jobs have been cut as part of its decision to relocate the Centrelink and Medicare office in Maroubra to Eastgardens.
Southern Courier
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The Department of Human Services says no jobs have been cut as part of its decision to relocate the Centrelink and Medicare office in Maroubra to Eastgardens.
The office on Maroubra Rd, Maroubra was closed at the start of this month and shifted to nearby Westfield Eastgardens.
Department of Human Services general manager Hank Jongen said the decision was all about easier access for the community.
“This relocation will give the local community easier access to government services,” Mr Jongen said.
“No jobs have been lost as a result of this move. All face-to-face staff who delivered services at Maroubra have moved to Eastgardens Service Centre and are working at the new site.”
A bus interchange and extra parking, free for three hours, were both part of the decision to move to the shopping centre.
The centre is the only Medicare and Centrelink office in southeast Sydney with the next closest branch located in Bondi Junction.
Mr Jongen said there were no plans to phase out a centre in the area despite concerns being raised earlier this year.
In April, Kingsford Smith federal Labor MP Matt Thistlethwaite launched a campaign calling for certainty over the Maroubra centre’s future, after being contacted by sources within the department saying it had been earmarked for closure.
The department denied that claim.
Mr Thistlethwaite said as far as he knew there had not been any consultation with the community over the move of services from Maroubra to Eastgardens which had been sprung on people.
He also said it was a high priority for him to ensure face-to-face services remained in the area.
“I will continue to fight to ensure that Centrelink and Medicare services remain easily accessible for everyone in Kingsford Smith.”
The new Eastgardens Service Centre sees a return of a Medicare office to Eastgardens. A Medicare office was formerly open in Eastgardens up until 2015 when it was moved to Maroubra.
The Eastgardens Service Centre is on level two at Westfield Eastgardens.
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