Kerryn Boogaard Kerryn Boogaard
Beverly Goldsmith Beverly Goldsmith
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Zoe Bingley-Pullin

“Oops” says Centrelink:

Centrelink says they made a mistake in telling single parents their concession cards should be destroyed.
By Motherpedia with AAP
Date: January 14 2013
Editor Rating:
single_parent_2

84,000 single parents will be contacted by Centrelink to let them know that they should not cut up their pensioner concession cards.

The Federal Government agency is now telling them they can still use their old cards to receive a range of concessions on utility bills, transport, car registration and medicine.

Human Services Minister Kim Carr said he had spoken to his departmental secretary about correcting the misinformation.

"I have asked the department to contact all the people who are affected to explain again that the concessions will continue," he told ABC Radio on Monday.

The Government already was under pressure over its decision to move tens of thousands of single parents from the Parenting Payment to the lower Newstart Allowance, once their youngest child turned eight.

Senator Carr defended Centrelink saying they dealt with about seven million Australians a year, and handled 56 million phone calls each year.

"In any one day there are probably some 135,000 face-to-face contacts.

"There are occasions when things go wrong. This is one of those occasions."

The recently formed Single Parent Action Group is planning protests around the country when Federal Parliament resumes on 5th February,  including a march from Old Parliament House to new Parliament House in Canberra.

A spokeswoman for the group, said the rally aimed to show it was unacceptable to force people to live under the poverty line while raising children.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has previously acknowledged it would be ''incredibly tough'' to live on $35 a day but said the government's priority was to create jobs.

Mr Rudd last week called on the government to ''show a bit of heart and do more'' to help Australians struggling on Newstart.

Share This Tweet This Email To Friend
Recent Comments
0 Total Comments
Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:


Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:33343


Your Comment has been posted
Related Articles
centrelink-420x0
Welfare advocates are planning to protest around Australia next month…
Read more
2013-kids
Motherpedia will bring you all you want to know in…
Read more
Cry babies

Dry your eyes!
The newest additions are on their way from the Babies who cry real tears!

Shipping-containers-freight-wallpaper-preview

Latest Tech Used In Shipping Containers
Read how the shipping industry has revolutionised

Motherpedia cover-2

Win 1 set of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set
Barbara Murray’s new 4-book Sound Stories is perfect for parents and educators and could assist with NAPLAN results

Motherpedia cover (4)

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest Australia
Get ready for this celebration!

Motherpedia cover-4

A Fortnight of Foodie Experiences at East Village
A taste of East Village. What's in it for me?

Globber my too fix up cover

We Try: Globber My TOO Fix Up
A scooter that grows with your child

Throw a winning cricket pitch

3 Steps to a Winning Backyard Cricket Pitch
Ex-Adelaide Oval legend curator Les Burdett shares his tips for getting your backyard cricket pitch test match ready this summer

A bike that follows your kids life cycle - motherpedia - cover

A Bike That Follows Your Kids Life Cycle
Check out the Bunzi 2-in-1 gradual balance bike!

Moonlight lifestyle

Moonlight Cinema to bring…
Moonlight Cinema announces brand new Western Sydney venue

Screen shot 2019-11-26 at 8.29.12 am

Your Magical Christmas Wonderland…
Adventure park is about to light up the night sky with its "Christmas Festival of Lights"

Screen shot 2019-11-21 at 11.11.36 am

The Preston Market Gets…
It's time to feel pumped up for the holiday season!

Bruno-kelzer-zqzuigxcvrq-unsplash

Bunnings team members get…
Help raise funds by buying a snag or donating at your local store.