Tens of thousands of Australians are being left without vital everyday services as calls to a key government agency go unanswered. The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has raised concerns about staffing shortages at Services Australia, the agency responsible for government programs such as Centrelink, Medicare, and Child Support. Melissa Donnelly, CPSU National Secretary, has called for urgent action from the federal government to address staffing issues and protect current employees. The union fears that the situation will only worsen as budget cuts have resulted in the loss of nearly 1,900 staff members. Services Australia’s CEO, Rebecca Skinner, explained that these cuts were necessary to return the agency to regular staffing levels after the temporary increase in response to the pandemic. The CPSU is worried that the reduction in staff will make it even harder for Australians to access government help. They believe that these changes may also lead to delays in important work and errors. The union calls on Services Australia to prioritize retaining their current staff, as they are trained and experienced. This plea for more staff comes as the Albanese government plans a massive reform of the Australian public service, with a significant investment aimed at rebuilding capability and efficiency. The government aims to spend over $22 million on this revamp in the 2023-24 Budget. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher emphasizes the importance of valuing the APS and ensuring it effectively serves the citizens.