By Ewen McRae
There will be post-election boost of health and human services in the Gorton electorate if the Labor party is successful in this month’s poll.
Local MP Brendan O’Connor was in Melton last week to announce that 40 new full-time Department of Human Services jobs would be created in Gorton if Bill Shorten’s team forms government.
The jobs will include service delivery as well as call centre roles, and will reduce waiting and processing times for Medicare and Centrelink.
Mr O’Connor said it was important the growing community in Melbourne’s west did not fall behind the rest of the city when it comes to services.
“The local families, carers, students and pensioners of Gorton deserve better Medicare and Centrelink service delivery,” he said.
“This commitment of 40 new jobs for Gorton is great for the local economy.
“If Labor is elected, it will inject around $3 million into our local community.
“Centrelink provides essential services to the people of Melbourne’s west, and this commitment will significantly increase its capacity to help locals.”
There are nearly 14,000 age pension recipients in the Gorton electorate, while there are nearly 6000 disability support pension recipients, 18,000 family tax benefit recipients and more than 7500 carer allowance recipients who the new jobs should support.
Opposition human services spokesman Ed Husic was also on hand for the announcement, which also included 40 jobs for the nearby Lalor electorate as part of 160 jobs statewide in the sector.
“This is an investment by Labor in better jobs and better services for Victoria,” Mr Husic said.
“Apart from the fact these 160 jobs will provide a welcome economic boost, these full-time, well-trained, permanent staff will be there to help Victorians when they need it most.”
