Joint – From coast to country: Mobile service centres take government services to bush

Mobile Service Centre’s Desert Rose and Golden Wattle have concluded another busy financial year travelling across the country providing rural and regional communities with tailored Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support, and as part of a pilot, veteran-specific assistance.

During the 2018-19 financial year, the Mobile Service Centres travelled over 60,000 kilometres, assisted over 10,200 customers and visited 410 communities.

Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert said the Mobile Service Centres were an important link between government services for those in rural and regional communities.

‘The team on board the Mobile Service Centres pride themselves on the supportive, friendly, face-to-face service they provide to people in the bush’ Minister Robert said.

The versatility of the trucks and crews allow them to move quickly to provide support following natural disasters when Australian Government assistance is announced.

Following the floods in Northern Queensland earlier this year, Golden Wattle spent 13 days in seven disaster-affected communities, helping more than 500 people gain access to much needed Government assistance.

Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said it was great to see veteran-specific services added to the range of assistance offered on-board the Mobile Service Centres this year.

‘Being able to reach veterans and their families – particularly those in rural and regional communities – through the Mobile Service Centres is incredibly important to ensure they are receiving services and support through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs,’ Mr Chester said.

‘The feedback from veterans and their families about our assistance has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited to continue to offer this service.’

Mobile Service Centres have collectively travelled over 900,000 kilometres since 2006, roughly 62 round trips of mainland Australia by car.

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