Union backs Centrelink inquiry

Date: 20 August 2001

THE Community and Public Sector Union is urging members on the Centrelink frontline to partipate in the independent inquiry into breaching, announced in Sydney today.

CPSU spokesman, Mark Gepp, welcomed an inquiry sparked by revelations of huge increases in the numbers of beneficiaries being breached under hardline Government policies.

The CPSU covers the majority of Centrelink workers and Mr Gepp said knowledge of their experiences would be "vital" to a successful inquiry.

"Our people are responsible for implementing Government breaching policies as well as dealing, first hand, with the Australians who are being penalised. They know how these policies work and see some of the repercussions.

"The Public Service Act presents problems for them speaking out directly but we are asking them to tell us of their experiences and we will present them in the form of a submission," Mr Gepp said.

Mr Gepp said his union supported ACOSS moves to broaden the inquiry so it focused on policy and law as well as Centrelink administration, and was encouraged by the participation of key players, including charities, job network providers and welfare rights groups.

For further comment:

Mark Gepp, CPSU Community Services Section secretary, 0418 316 858

For further information

Contact:	Mark Gepp,
Union:	CPSU - National Office
Phone:	0418 316 858
Email:	Dermot Browne (media officer)
WWW:	02 8204 6951 - 04 08 265 081

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed
by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW
[Credits] [Site Matters]