By Siba Dube
The Braddon, Labour MP for Canberra Alicia Payne is intensifying her campaign for the preservation of the Braddon Centerlink offices.
Payne shall be taking her campaign further next Thursday by staging an open protest at the Braddon Centerlink front office to demand a clear explanation on where the much needed services were being taken to.
She will then present a petition to the Centerlink management at 11:30 am on 15 July.
The legislator’s reaction followed after she realised that the Centerlink premises were being advertised for rent. The government arm which funds programs for vulnerable people’s lease agreement ends in February 2022.
Payne is against the relocation of the office which she views as being insensitive to the plight of the vulnerable people who need face to face services.
“It is the only face to face Centerlink for the central civic area and relocating such a service away from the people in the middle of a Covid 19 pandemic is not proper,” said Payne in an exclusive interview with Canberra Live.
Payne told Canberra Live today that she expected the ACT government to consult the residents before making such a life changing decision.
She also revealed that 367 residents have already signed a petition against the relocation adding that the ACT government had no option other than responding positively to the wishes of the residents.
“I haven’t heard anything from them, but they will have to respond to our petition,” said Payne.
