Mornington Centrelink office to close on March 27 leaving staff and clients in limbo
Vulnerable people say they’re “heartbroken and betrayed’’ by a decision to close essential services in Mornington within weeks. They say they have been left in the dark over the move. And the Health Minister agrees with them.
South East
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The Centrelink office in Mornington will close next month, leaving the elderly and disabled without easy access to the service.
Debbie Martin, who regularly visits the Main St office, said clients felt heartbroken and betrayed by the decision.
“It’s not acceptable. I have used the service many times over the past 20 years for help for my elderly parents, help for an elderly friend and help for me after suffering a life-threatening illness,” Ms Martin said.
The Mornington woman is calling for the essential service to be saved.
“It’s not just Centrelink that’s going, it’s Medicare as well,” Ms Martin said.
Ms Martin, 58, can’t drive and finds using a computer difficult.
“I have cognitive issues. I need face-to-face contact to access those services,” she said.
“Most of the customers I see in there are elderly or disabled. These aren’t people who can easily catch a bus to Rosebud or Frankston.”
She feared the public and Centrelink staff were being kept in the dark about the move.
“They want to keep it quiet until it’s too late for us to protest,” she said.
Ms Martin was also concerned about centre staff losing their jobs, or being relocated to another office.
“We are not taking it. We do not want the people who have helped us for so long being forced to go.”
Flinders Liberal MP Greg Hunt was told on Wednesday, February 5 via letter that the office was scheduled to close.
“Within the first five minutes of receiving this letter I took immediate action and spoke directly with (Federal Government Services) Minister (Stuart) Robert,” he said.
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“While I cannot make any promises at this stage, I am currently fighting for satellite services to be provided in Mornington.
“I am profoundly disappointed that neither I nor the community were informed or consulted prior to this decision being made.”
Dunkley Labor MP Peta Murphy is also campaigning for the office to remain open.
She called on Mr Robert and Mr Hunt to explain how vulnerable people who use the service would continue to get the help they needed.