THE decision to relocate the Medicare shopfront in Civic has caused “anger and confusion” amongst locals, according to Senator Gary Humphries.
The Department of Human Services will move the busy Medicare office in Petrie Plaza to Lonsdale Street, Braddon from August 20.
The shopfront will offer services alongside Centrelink at the new location.
Senator Humphries says on average 400 people visit the Civic Medicare shopfront each day, and the move will inconvenience people, forcing them to travel further to access services.
“A large number of people have visited my office, phoned in or emailed to register their anger and confusion with the [relocation],” Senator Humphries said.
“A representative of Canberrans living with disabilities spoke with me only last week. He was justifiably outraged at how our community’s most vulnerable will lack access to essential services.
“I visited the Medicare and Family Assistance office in Civic at 4.20pm yesterday. Almost every seat in the shop was taken.”
But Member for Fraser Dr Andrew Leigh said Medicare’s move would actually be more convenient for people, creating a one-stop-shop for all Medicare and Centrelink services and bringing Department of Human Services staff and facilities together under one roof.
“A one-stop-shop will address the needs of people who live and work in Canberra city by offering a wider range of services in one place to make things easier,” he said.
“Senator Humphries has misled the Canberra community about the availability of important services in Canberra city.”
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