Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has today raised concern that Centrelink Rural Services Officers (RSO), including officers working throughout north-east Victoria, are under threat.

“It has come to my attention that due to cost saving measures brought down in the Federal 2010 budget the roles were being reviewed.

“This is a disastrous situation and the result of reckless spending by Labor who now have to try to claw back money by taking away essential services in rural Victoria.

“In the Electorate of Benalla Rural Services Officers have contributed greatly to assisting people affected by drought, bushfires, the global financial crisis and isolation,” Dr Sykes said.

“Rural communities are still trying to recover from a tough 12 years and the removal of essential services, such as those provided by Rural Services Officers, shows a complete lack of regard for the challenges faced by people living in country Victoria.

“These officers are out in the field and make an important one on one connection with farmers, the aged and people living in isolated communities.

“They also help people in rural communities who experience difficulty completing Centrelink forms or have limited access to dealing with Centrelink through the website and provide information on the range of support available.

“I know that during the restructuring of the tobacco growing industry, officers were out in the field, in areas such as Myrtleford, providing vital assistance and support to help tobacco farmers make life changing decisions.

“They provided a vital link with farmers grappling with the impact of the drought on their businesses and assisted those families to apply for Exceptional Circumstances and other forms of assistance.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “The loss of Rural Services Officers in country areas would be a step backwards and would further exacerbate the significant social disadvantage gap that exists in much of country Victoria, and in particular throughout the Benalla Electorate.

“The possible scrapping of Rural Services Officers is yet another example of both State and Federal Government’s lack of commitment to people living in rural Victoria.”