The website giving Australians access to government services has crashed as people deal with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
There were also problems with the MyGov app and lengthy queues outside Centrelink offices across Australia on Monday.
“There is unprecedented demand for the service right now, but Australians need to be patient. Try logging on later today or even tomorrow,” Government Services Minister Stuart Robert said.
“MyGov is working, but the best option right now is for people to be patient.”
Tweet from @DeepFieldPhoto
Many families, workers and business owners have been forced to seek social security payments as the pandemic throws the national economy into chaos.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said non-essential businesses – including pubs and gyms – must close by midday Monday to try to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The government is also doubling payments to the unemployed and increasing other family welfare payments as it seeks to cushion the economy from the devastating impact of the pandemic.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:We’re experiencing very high demand across all services. We’re getting lots of questions about…
Posted by Services Australia on Sunday, March 22, 2020
Opposition frontbencher Bill Shorten said the unprecedented demand on Centrelink and MyGov was “entirely foreseeable”.
Mr Shorten said Australians should not be forced to wait weeks to access welfare.
“At this hour of need, Australians are having to grapple with inadequate service, online glitches and a lack of planning to deal with demand at Centrelink shopfronts,” he said.
Right across the country, there are long queues snaking around blocks outside Centrelink offices. First-time welfare recipients have been told they can get a customer reference number only by applying in person.
Mr Shorten said the minister must do better.
“He must ensure Centrelink services – online and in person – are working now when Australians need them most.”
-with AAP
The post MyGov website crashes, queues overwhelm Centrelink offices appeared first on The New Daily.
**Business and Marketing support on best price; Hit the link now----> http://bit.ly/2HsQmSi