While glad government has finally recognised that the call wait time is outrageous and is putting more staff on, it is very disappointing that these will be contract staff, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"Using a private company to reduce Centrelink call wait times holds serious privacy concerns, and staff should be hired within the public sector.

Charging interest on people that owe a Centrelink debt will disproportionately affect Australians on low incomes and who weren’t intentionally committing fraud, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today. 

“The Government has pointed to very rare circumstances of extreme fraud to justify the measure.   

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has welcomed Government moves to ensure safe, quality aged care, but says more work needs to be done. 

“All sides of politics were shocked by abuses revealed in the Oakden and other scandals, it became clearer than ever that there needed to be a dramatic shake-up to ensure that older Australians were safe in aged care across the country. 

“The reforms announced today are a step in the right direction, particularly plans to establish a national independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. 

The Australian Greens have renewed their calls for an increase in Newstart and Youth Allowance following more evidence of the inadequacy of the payments. The latest study released today which shows family costs are significantly higher than previously thought should trigger an increase to Newstart and Youth Allowance.  

The Senate Community Affairs References committee has tabled its report on the risks and impacts of transvaginal mesh implants, which have been carried out since the late 1990’s to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women.

“Many women who have had transvaginal mesh implants have had devastating complications resulting in ongoing emotional trauma, embarrassment, shame, depression, debilitating pain, recurring infection and a poor quality of life.

It is a sad day for the WA Goldfields region, with the start today of the rollout of the cashless welfare card, said Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.

“Thanks to the Government and the Nick Xenophon Team, today letters are being sent in the Goldfields region informing residents that they will be put onto the paternalistic cashless welfare card. 

“We Greens fought hard to stop the cashless welfare card trials being expanded, and although we managed to stave off a site in Queensland, my home state of WA has become the home of another trial site. 

The Australian Greens welcome the tabling of the report into the Protection of Aboriginal rock art of the Burrup Peninsula which was referred to inquiry over one year ago. 
 
“The Burrup Peninsula is the most incredible living art gallery containing millions of petroglyphs that record human occupation of this area for up to 40,000 years, Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia said today. 
 

The Australian Greens welcome cross-party support for a motion acknowledging the fifth anniversary of the National Apology for Forced Adoptions. 

The Welfare Reform Bill that passed the Senate today contained a suite of measures that will hurt bereaved people, people struggling with addiction, and older and unemployed Australians.
 
“The drug testing measures initially contained in this bill were an outrageous attack on vulnerable people trying to access our social safety net and we are glad they were removed but there are a suite of other changes in the bill that hurt those on income support, Australian Greens spokesperson on Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

Government should focus on implementing recommendations for real change on Aboriginal child health and safety rather than the old distraction of adoption, Australian Greens spokesperson on Families and Communities Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"Governments have failed over many years to listen and take action on recommendations for change. How many times does it need to be said, we must have an Aboriginal-led responses in Aboriginal communities, top down approaches from Government have not and will never work.