Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, is calling on the Federal Minister for Government Services, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, and Senator Jim Molan, to rule out the loss of both Australian Public Service jobs and spending, in the local Batemans Bay community, with the upgrade to the Batemans Bay Service Centre.
Mrs Phillips said the comment by Minister Reynolds in a media release today said, “Locals can also book appointments to speak to a staff member face-to-face about Centrelink services”, raises serious questions what the true intent of the upgrade is, and that is to push services for locals more on-line and reduce personal face to face contact.
The Batemans Bay Service Centre is leased by the Commonwealth from the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, a pivotal club in our community. A purpose-built building, Mrs Phillips is also calling on the Minister and Senator Molan to assure the community that there will be no rent loss for the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club and subsequent loss of local spending in the community as a result of the refurbishment.
“An upgrade is one thing, but it should never come at the expense of the loss of local jobs and spending”, Fiona said.
“People in the Batemans Bay community have been through so much. They deserve to have walk in “face-to-face” services to provide much needed support”, Fiona continued.
“The Minister and Senator Molan should be honest with the community about any consequences of the upgrade, including reduced face-to face-services, loss of local Australian Public Service jobs, as well as less spending in the local community from any reduction in rental floor space”, Fiona said.
“It’s time for the federal government to come clean with their real intentions”, Fiona concluded.
