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Latest news archive Relief payments being transferred to storm victims [19 November 2008]Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, has been on the ground in South East Queensland coordinating the Commonwealth Government’s response to the severe storms that stuck the region at the weekend. For more information, refer to the Minister for Human Services Media Release. Centrelink working to deliver bonus payments to Australians [15 October 2008]The Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, today said Centrelink is working hard to deliver the bonus payments contained in the Rudd Government’s Economic Security Package. For more information, refer to the Minister for Human Services Media Release. Footy Gear Drive kicks off to help remote communities [13 October 2008]Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, has today launched a Centrelink staff initiative to encourage remote Northern Territory communities to adopt more healthy and active lifestyles. For more information, refer to the Minister for Human Services Media Release. Boost for Centrelink interpreters and translators [14 July 2008]The Minister for Human Services, Joe Ludwig, has announced an increase in the fees paid for on-site interpreting at Centrelink offices and for translation of documents required by Centrelink. For more information, go to this Department of Human Services Media Release. [ return to top ] Income management extended in four NT communities [11 July 2008]Income management will be extended in four Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) communities - Mutitjulu, Finke/Apatula, Titjikala and Imanpa - for up to 12 months. For more information, go to this Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs Media Release. [ return to top ] NAIDOC Week [6 July 2008]The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, has welcomed the start of the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week with an announcement of $1.5 million for NAIDOC activities across Australia. For more information, go to this Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs Media Release. [ return to top ] Cape York Welfare Reform Trial to begin [1 July 2008]The Cape York Welfare Reform Trial will commence today with the Family Responsibilities Commission starting its operations. The Australian and Queensland Governments have committed more than $100 million to support the Welfare Reform Trial. For more information, go to this Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs Media Release. [ return to top ] Welfare fraud sentences send clear warning [1 July 2008]The recent jailing of two welfare cheats sends a clear warning to those tempted to try to defraud Australian taxpayers, Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, said today. For more information, go to this Department of Human Services Media Release. [ return to top ] Email misinformation campaign continues to target refugees and age pensioners [16 June 2008]Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, has used National Refugee Week to urge people not to become victims of an internet-based misinformation campaign that makes false claims about refugee entitlements. For more information, go to this Department of Human Services Media Release. [ return to top ] Better child care outcomes for student parents [14 June 2008]The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and the Minister for Human Services, Joe Ludwig, today announced the extension of Jobs Education and Training (JET) Child Care Fee Assistance from one to two years. For more information, go to this Department of Human Services Media Release. [ return to top ] Young people to benefit from $27M carer package [11 June 2008]The Australian Government will provide $27 million to boost respite for Australia's young carers and for carers of young people with a severe or profound disability. For more information, go to this Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs Media Release. [ return to top ] Gillard honours Australian pioneer Caroline Chisholm at Centrelink opening [30 May 2008]The most senior female political leader in Australian history, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, has today officially opened a major new Government site named in honour of one of Australia's leading women pioneers, Caroline Chisholm. The Deputy Prime Minister unveiled a plaque celebrating the formal dedication of the Caroline Chisholm Centre, which is Centrelink's new national headquarters. For more information, go to this Department of Human Services Media Release. [ return to top ] Increased pension thresholds for more than 2 million pensioners [30 May 2008]More than two million Age Pensioners receiving income support will be able to earn more income and hold more valuable assets without their pension being affected, following annual adjustments from 1 July 2008. For more information, go to this Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs Media Release. [ return to top ] Families benefit from payment rises [30 May 2008]Millions of Australian families receiving Family Tax Benefit (FTB) and Child Care Benefit (CCB) will benefit from increases to payment rates, thresholds, and associated limits, following annual adjustments from the beginning of July 2008. For more information, go to this Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs Media Release. [ return to top ] Supporting People with Disability, their Families and Carers [30 May 2008]People with disabilities, their families and carers will benefit from a $1.9 billion boost in funding under a new agreement reached today at a meeting of Disability Ministers in Sydney. State and Territory Disability Ministers agreed to deliver $900 million in funding, on top of the Australian Government's $1 billion commitment. For more information, go to this Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs Media Release. [ return to top ] Resignation of Centrelink CEO [15 May 2008]Today the CEO of Centrelink, Jeff Whalan, has announced that he will be retiring later this year. On behalf of the Australian Government, the Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig extended to Mr Whalan his sincere appreciation for his dedicated service. For more information, go to this Department of Human Services Media Release. [ return to top ] Combating welfare fraud to keep the system fair [15 May 2008]The fight against welfare fraud has received a $138 million boost in today's Federal Budget, Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, announced. The Budget projects savings of $728 million over the next four years as a result of the Government's compliance efforts. For more information, go to this Department of Human Services Media Release. [ return to top ] Debit Card to Improve Income Management [13 May 2008]The Australian Government is introducing a new card to make it easier for people on income management to put food on the table for children and reduce the red-tape burden placed on small retailers. For more information, go to this Department of Human Services Media Release. [ return to top ] New Seniors Health Card and Family Payment Compliance [13 May 2008]New rules and compliance checks for Family Tax Benefit (FTB) payments and Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards will ensure payments and concessions are correctly targeted to those who are entitled to them. For more information, go to this Department of Human Services Media Release. [ return to top ] Maternity Immunisation Allowance - eligibility change [13 May 2008]The Australian Government will change the Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) to encourage all parents to fully immunise their children before they start school. From 1 January 2009 the Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) will be paid in two instalments instead of one lump sum. For more information, go to this Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs Media Release. [ return to top ] New Social Security Agreements with Finland and Poland [13 May 2008]The Australian Government has announced its intention to finalise negotiations with Finland and Poland to introduce social security agreements to improve access to pensions for residents of these countries. Once in place, the agreements will benefit people who have spent part of their adult lives in both Australia and Finland or in both Australia and Poland. These people may be able to receive pensions from both countries. For more information, go to this Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs Media Release. [ return to top ] Did you find what you were looking for? 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