Security guards to double at Services Australia centres after Melbourne stabbing - 9News

Hundreds of security guards will be hired to improve staff and customer safety at Services Australia centres nationally.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten announced $314 million in funding over two years which will beef up security at 318 service centres.

Joeanne Cassar has been unable to return to work following the attack. (Nine)

Joeanne Cassar was rushed to hospital in a critical condition following the alleged attack.

The 55-year-old's assault was one of the thousands of incidents that occurred at Services Australia centres over the past year.

According to government data, there were more than 9000 incidents of aggression at service centres in 2022-2023.

Cassar said there were many times before the incident when she felt unsafe.

"It took what happened to me, for this to happen," she said.

"A huge aspect of my life has changed. But look what we have done, we have the funding to change offices.

"That's a win, I want to focus on the positive."

Hundreds of security guards will be hired to improve staff and customer safety at Services Australia centres nationally. (Nine)

The funding will improve safety thanks to the addition of at least 600 security guards, along with improved CCTV.

"The Albanese government will be investing $314 million across the next two years to make sure that the 10 million people who visit Services Australia annually, and the 6200 staff who work frontline services, are safer," Shorten said.

"Millions of Australians come here to sort out their pension payments, their Medicare payments, just about everything. But what happened on May the 23rd last year was a terrible crime.

"There have been unacceptable levels of aggression at Centrelink and Services Australia centres.

"We can't guarantee that that everything will just be perfect from here on in. But what I say to all the millions of Australians who use Services Australia, you're important to us."

Cassar is yet to return to work, but hopes she can in the future.

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2024-05-03 09:23:16Z
CBMipQFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvc2VydmljZXMtYXVzdHJhbGlhLXNlY3VyaXR5LWd1YXJkcy10by1kb3VibGUtYXQtY2VudHJlbGluay1jZW50cmVzLWFmdGVyLWFpcnBvcnQtd2VzdC1zdGFiYmluZy9kYjc2OGQ1ZS0yODQzLTRiYTEtYTQ3MS03Y2Q2ZmM3MTBmOTbSAUVodHRwczovL2FtcC45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS9kYjc2OGQ1ZS0yODQzLTRiYTEtYTQ3MS03Y2Q2ZmM3MTBmOTY

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