Dear The Reader
I have always had (and seen) the image of the Centrelink client stereotype. They show an extreme entitlement to the money they receive, as if they have managed some incredible feat for it.
Today, I applied for student assistance. I imagined it would take half an hour tops. 95 minutes after the operator finally answered I completed the online application form, only to be told I have to fill out two more forms, get my parents to fill out a third, and take that, with a whole bunch of other stuff, into a branch so I can finish applying. More than two and a half (expected) hours and I may be rejected. It is taking everything within me to stay grateful to the commonwealth of Australia for the assistance they can provide.
So, next time you see a stereotypical Centrelink client, just remember they jump through hoop after bureaucratic hoop every fortnight. The other people who do that are politicians and lawyers, and look at their paycheque afterwards.
I'm still grateful for Australia's welfare system, no matter how frustrating it is.
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Hang in there, mate. It *should* get better. The initial application is the hard part, once you've got your payment sorted, things are a lot easier. Until, of course, your details change. Or Centrelink screw up. Or you no longer qualify for the payment you are receiving. Yeah, you get the picture. It is a flawed system, but it's the only one we've got and the Centrelink workers do have to scramble all the time to keep up with changes to legislation and policy to continue to provide the best and most accurate service they can. Maybe you could have a word to the pollies who make the election promises instead?
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