(1)   Will he advise what efforts Centrelink has made to keep welfare organisations, and other non-government organisations, aware of the Government’s Welfare to Work changes, and the expected impact of these upon prospective welfare clients.

(2)   Is he aware that many welfare organisations are being contacted by clients seeking advice and assistance in relation to the proposed Welfare to Work changes.

(3)   Will he provide details of the resources that have been provided to organisations and welfare sector workers in the federal electoral division of Charlton to keep them informed of the Welfare to Work changes.

Regular outreach programmes operated by Centrelink Customer Service Centres have been advising local groups of the Welfare to Work changes.

Centrelink has developed a number of specific tools to provide information on the Welfare to Work changes. These include:

• A community information pack, which has been distributed to all Centrelink Customer Service Centres to assist staff deliver the Welfare to Work messages to local community groups and organisations. The pack has been distributed to peak welfare organisations for distribution through their networks.
• A CD-ROM to complement the pack and support the delivery of Welfare to Work messages.
• Information about Welfare to Work changes on the Centrelink website.

One interactive Budget broadcast was hosted in the Charlton electorate - this was at the Centrelink Customer Service Centre in Charlestown. The broadcast provided information on Budget initiatives for local community organisations.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is also providing welfare organisations with information on Welfare to Work changes. They have conducted information sessions and have developed a national communication campaign.

To prepare this answer it has taken approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes at an estimated cost of $169.