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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
2009
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2007
2006
2005
Media Releases
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200811 Jan 2012 - Disaster Support Rings Up Call Centre Record
THE HON KATE ELLIS MP
Acting Minister for Human Services
MEDIA RELEASE
11 January 2012
Disaster support rings up call centre record
The Australian Government's response to last summer's natural disasters resulted in Centrelink call centres handling almost 29 million calls last financial year, the highest ever recorded.
Acting Minister for Human Services Kate Ellis said that the figure tops the previous 2008/09 record by 540,000 but more importantly, was reached while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
"At the peak of the Government's response, there were 14 simultaneous emergency activations where our aim was to get help where it was needed, fast."
"Call centre staff took more than 750,000 calls, answering inquiries and processing claims, during the Queensland, NSW and Victorian floods, Cyclone Yasi and the Western Australian bushfires. "
"Surveys show customers were satisfied with the service they received during the period, with 91 per cent of the 22,000 customers who were independently surveyed, endorsing the service and quality of advice they received from call centre staff."
"The Department has 25 call centres delivering Centrelink services, a good proportion of which are based in regional areas. This forms the backbone of one of the nation's biggest single call networks, employing around 4,000 staff dedicated to strengthening ties with the community they serve," Ms Ellis said.
As a result of the natural disasters in the early part of 2011, the Australian Government granted almost 800,000 claims for assistance, worth over $938 million.
More than 5,000 Department staff with a range of skill sets remain on standby to assist recovery efforts at short notice.
"The Department's emergency reserve list means they are ready to be deployed where required to work on the front line or behind the scenes," Ms Ellis said.
"We've been meeting with other federal, state and local authorities to build relationships and share knowledge ahead of the summer disaster season.
"On the ground, advancements in technology will allow our staff to link directly into the Human Services network to process disaster payments on the spot and from almost anywhere.
"No one wants to see a reoccurrence of the terrible disasters that hit our nation last summer but we stand ready and eager to help if needed."