Centrelink and Medicare services will continue at 332 Main Street Mornington thanks to a six-month extension to its lease.
Federal Member for Finders, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, said the extension creates certainty for Mornington Peninsula residents through both the health and economic implications of the coronavirus outbreak.
“This is not a once in a decade or a once in a generation challenge, we are currently facing a once in a century event,” Minister Hunt said. “During this time I have continued to fight for our community for services to remain in Mornington, first through an agent service, now through the continuation of the Service Centre through the coronavirus outbreak.”
“The effects of the coronavirus will not just be felt in our hospital wards and emergency rooms; we have seen that the economic impacts of this disease will tragically effect peoples jobs and their businesses.
“In light of this challenge, I can announce a six-month extension has been agreed for the continuation of Centrelink and Medicare services at the current Main Street site and I thank the landlord and Services Australia for their actions to ensure this continuation.
“But most importantly, I thank the community. The level of challenge we all face over the coming months cannot be understated. This six month extension of services at the Mornington Service Centre will ensure locals can get face to face assistance, five days a week, through these times of uncertainty. Services Australia is rapidly increasing capacity both online and in person, with 5,000 additional personnel being added to the workforce.
“We are not immune from the global health and economic challenges ahead, but we will continue to ensure Australia and Australians are well positioned for the times ahead.”