Federal prosecutors charge Centrelink over worker’s near-fatal stabbing at Airport West office

A woman almost died when a customer slashed her with a knife at a Melbourne Centrelink office. Now federal authorities are going after the agency.

Joeanne Cassar was stabbed several times while working at Centrelink’s Airport West office. Picture: David Crosling

Federal prosecutors have slugged Centrelink with a criminal charge after a banned customer allegedly almost stabbed a worker to death in Melbourne’s north.

Joeanne Cassar was left fighting for life after Essendon man Elijah Chase allegedly stabbed her in her lower back repeatedly, just missing her kidneys, inside the agency’s Airport West office on May 23 2023.

The near-fatal stabbing unfolded after Mr Chase was first barred from entering the office earlier that day.

He returned to the branch with a knife later that afternoon.

It is understood that Ms Cassar tried to deny Mr Chase entry to the branch when he returned, but other staff members let him in.

Ms Cassar, who suffered lifelong injuries from the stabbing, said she knew a lack of safety measures were a major concern before the life-threatening attack.

Centrelink worker Joeanne Cassar with her husband, Andrew Giusti. Picture: Supplied

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions charged Services Australia, which runs Centrelink, with failing to protect Ms Cassar and three other workers from the risk of death or serious injury.

Charge sheets show that Services Australia allegedly failed to stop Mr Chase from getting back into the office the second time and did not warn workers about what he looked like in case he tried to get back into the building.

It was also alleged that there was not enough security at the Airport West office because there were no guards manning the office’s customer entrance and they did not have two uniformed guards on site during customer opening hours.

“I’d like to say I’m pleased with the findings relating to the charges,” Ms Cassar said in a statement to the Herald Sun.

“I feel we have been vindicated as employees as I knew these deficiencies were a concern before the actual incident occurred.”

Ms Cassar has suffered crippling pain in her neck since a nerve in her back was severed, reducing the use of her left leg.

“It has changed me forever,” she previously told the Herald Sun.

“I went to work one day and didn’t come home for eight days. I can’t even pour the kettle when the kettle is full … because of the strain that it imposes on my back and my legs.”

The Centrelink office in Melbourne's Airport West where Ms Cassar was stabbed. Picture: Nine News

Police charged Mr Chase in the wake of the alleged stabbing with intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing serious injury, reckless conduct endangering life, common law assault, and use and possession of a controlled weapon.

He pleaded not guilty, and a court heard last year that his legal team would explore a “mental impairment” defence.

The CDPP alleged Ms Cassar and her colleagues were at risk of being subjected to physical violence from Mr Chase and other members of the public.

Allanah Goodwin of Arnold Thomas and Becker, the firm representing the four Centrelink employees, said Ms Cassar could have died.

“Ms Cassar was stabbed as a result of Services Australia’s breach of federal work and safety laws,” she said.

“Ms Cassar narrowly avoided death when a knife-wielding assailant attacked her inside a Centrelink office.”

Ms Cassar with the Government Services minister Bill Shorten in 2023. Picture: David Crosling

Former government services minister Bill Shorten commissioned a review of Service Australia’s safety protocols by former Victoria Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton, which found security levels, centre designs and plans for dealing with customer aggression needed to be improved.

Services Australia adopted a risk management program to implement the review’s recommendations, committing $40m in late 2023 to the changes.

Ms Goodwin said she hoped the findings provided greater protection for frontline workers.

A Services Australia spokeswoman said: “Services Australia takes its responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act extremely seriously and remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all staff and customers”.

“We acknowledge the impact the legal proceedings may have on staff and we are prioritising staff wellbeing and support during this time.”

Services Australia was charged on summons and is due to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court in July.