Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig
December 2007–June 2009
- Media Releases
- Speeches
- Audio and Video
Media Releases
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
2009
June
- 6 June 2009—New appointment for Senator Joe Ludwig
- 3 June 2009—Australian Government flood assistance passes $1 million
- 2 June 2009—Joint Media Release—Seminars to help people in financial stress
May
- 29 May 2009—Drought Bus assists flood affected communities in NSW
- 29 May 2009—Minister announces tender process for new BasicsCard
- 28 May 2009—Same-sex couples urged to register with Centrelink
- 28 May 2009—Centrelink delivers first relief payments to flood victims
- 27 May 2009—Reminder to lodge tax returns for Family Tax Benefit
- 26 May 2009—Customers benefit from new Centrelink voice-recognition service
- 21 May 2009—Financial planning to ease pressure of the global recession
- 21 May 2009—Joint Media Release—New look Centrelink office opens in Mt Gravatt
- 20 May 2009—Help for separated parents affected by the global recession
- 19 May 2009—Centrelink launches Speakfreely™ for faster staff IT support
- 18 May 2009—Minister sets the record straight about Medicare audits
- 18 May 2009—Joint Media Release—Centrelink office opening in Caboolture
- 12 May 2009—$361.4 million to improve customer services for all Australians
- 12 May 2009—Extra $223.2 million in supporting separated families
- 12 May 2009—Combating Welfare and Health Fraud
- 12 May 2009—Government delivers on three new Medicare offices
- 12 May 2009—Joint Media Release—Simpler rules for separated families
- 11 May 2009—Joint Media Release—Bringing Medicare Australia to Warrawong
- 8 May 2009—Resignation of Child Support Agency General Manager
- 8 May 2009—Joint Media Release—Nearly $3 Million for Bluewater Trail at Mackay
- 7 May 2009—Joint Media Release—Fast Tracking Work for Local Schools
- 7 May 2009—Joint Media Release—$2.3 Million towards Biloela Sports Complex—Banana Shire
- 7 May 2009—Prescription shopper and Medicare fraudster sent to jail
- 7 May 2009—Reaching out to young Mums on Mother’s Day
- 6 May 2009—Joint Media Release—Local MP brings Minister to Mt Druitt to talk jobs
- 6 May 2009—Joint Media Release—Centrelink seminars for pensioners and self funded retirees
- 6 May 2009—Minister welcomes public hearings for Medicare legislation
- 6 May 2009—Joint Media Release—Job seekers to receive letters about new employment services
- 5 May 2009—Centrelink seminars to explain same-sex reforms
- 4 May 2009—Continuing Government Support for Bushfire Survivors
- 2 May 2009—Joint Media Release—$2.95 Million for Dalby PCYC Sports Centre Extension
- 2 May 2009—Joint Media Release—$2.6 Million to help reduce water and energy use at Toowoomba region swimming pools
April
- 29 April 2009—Child Support Agency recovers $8m through litigation
- 28 April 2009—Centrelink develops new IT system to ward off hackers
- 27 April 2009—Joint Media Release—$10 Million to complete Springfield Central Parklands
- 24 April 2009—Queensland’s first project in Community Infrastructure Program
- 23 April 2009—Bonuses still available to students enrolling late
- 22 April 2009—Joint Media Release—New Medicare Australia office for Belmont
- 21 April 2009—Minister visits new look Centrelink office at Cannington
- 21 April 2009—Centrelink Reminder to update family income estimate
- 20 April 2009—Joint Media Release—Hobart Centrelink moves to new premises
- 17 April 2009—Joint Media Release—Centrelink help for local redundancies
- 17 April 2009—Joint Media Release—Centrelink Information Session for Retrenched Workers
- 15 April 2009—Centrelink catches welfare cheats in cash economy operationst
- 8 April 2009—Retirees need to contact Centrelink on minimum draw-down
- 8 April 2009—Joint Media Release—Centrelink Ready to Help Gladstone Rio Workers
- 8 April 2009—Travelling with PBS medicine this Easter
- 7 April 2009—Exciting graduate careers available at Centrelink
- 3 April 2009—Government subsidy for Medicare Easyclaim integrated solutions
- 1 April 2009—Special arrangements for flood affected customers
- 1 April 2009—Joint Media Release—Better Government services for the Northern Peninsula
March
- 31 March 2009—Joint Media Release—New look Centrelink office opens in Thursday Island
- 30 March 2009—Declaring your same-sex relationship to Centrelink

- 26 March 2009—Minister visits new look Centrelink office at Palm Beach
- 25 March 2009—Minister foreshadows tender process for new BasicsCard, as Govt flags industry consultation for payment delivery reform
- 24 March 2009—Government launches ‘Couples are Couples’ same-sex information campaign
- 23 March 2009—Better targeting and delivery of Family Tax Benefit
- 5 March 2009—New trial to reduce conflict between separated parents
- 5 March 2009—Minister thanks agencies for bushfire recovery effort
- 2 March 2009—Joint Media Release—Local MP brings Minister to Tweed Heads
February
- 26 February 2009—Centrelink help for Drivetrain workers
- 26 February 2009—Switch to fortnightly Family Tax Benefit and receive Household Stimulus payments sooner
- 24 February 2009—Financial support for students
- 23 February 2009—Joint Media Release—The Brumbies sign on to save lives
- 20 February 2009—Joint Media Release—Official opening of Medicare Australia in Emerald
- 19 February 2009—Joint Media Release—New look Centrelink office opens in Gladstone
- 19 February 2009—Beware of Household Stimulus Package email scam
- 17 February 2009—Disaster Recovery Payments reach victims of fires and floods
- 17 February 2009—Local MP brings Minister to Bankstown to talk jobs
- 16 February 2009—Over 20,000 victims receive disaster relief payments
- 13 February 2009—Relief payments to 11,000 victims of bushfires and floods
- 10 February 2009—Provider Percentile Charts available on Medicare website
- 5 February 2009—Career Information Service ready to help students
- 4 February 2009—Joint Media Release—Medicare Australia—25 years of service to health professionals
January
- 31 January 2009—Joint Media Release—Medicare celebrates its 25th anniversary
- 23 January 2009—Joint Media Release—Major operation helps students back to school
- 21 January 2009—Back to school plan for separated families

- 15 January 2009—Joint Media Release—Future agreed for Gold Coast Australian Technical College
2008
December
- 23 December 2008—Christmas gift for remote Northern Territory communities

- 23 December 2008—Child Support debt could stop your overseas holiday
- 22 December 2008—Travellers need an explanation for their PBS medication
- 19 December 2008—Economic Security Strategy payments delivered
- 17 December 2008—Joint Media Release—More Australians with disability seeking work
- 17 December 2008—Holiday arrangements for Human Services customers
- 17 December 2008—Joint Media Release—Doors open at new Centrelink Hobart Call Centre
- 17 December 2008—Spending time with your children at Christmas
- 16 December 2008—Centrelink help for Greek Pensioners
- 12 December 2008—Man jailed for three years for Medicare fraud
- 12 December 2008—Child support priority programs deliver $87m for kids
- 11 December 2008—Medicare helping to reduce unintentional incorrect billing
- 10 December 2008—Bulk of bonus payments hitting the bank
- 9 December 2008—Economic Security Strategy payments to reach their peak
- 9 December 2008—Joint Media Release—Medibank Private and Health Services Australia (HSA) merger
- 8 December 2008—Better services for people with barriers to work
- 5 December 2008—Centrelink gears up to deliver $8.7b in bonus payments
- 4 December 2008—Joint Media Release—Torres Strait students return home for Christmas
- 3 December 2008—Hotline running as roll-out of same-sex reforms begins
- 2 December 2008—Minister congratulates employers of people with disability
- 2 December 2008—Centrelink swoop snares cheats
- 1 December 2008—Joint Media Release—Medicare Australia and Centrelink team up in Emerald
- 1 December 2008—Media Statement—End of session statement
November
- 27 November 2008—Joint Media Release—Electronic Medicare claiming available in Cairns
- 24 November 2008—$3.2 million in disaster recovery payments to storm victims
- 21 November 2008—More storms assistance for South East Queensland
- 20 November 2008—Joint Media Release—Government extends disaster recovery payments
- 19 November 2008—Relief payments being transferred to storm victims
- 18 November 2008—Joint Media Release—Assistance for residents affected by severe storms
- 18 November 2008—Joint Media Release—Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
- 14 November 2008—Joint Media Release—Medicare Australia to join Centrelink in Emerald
- 13 November 2008—Child support fraud neglected: Ombudsman
- 12 November 2008—Families encouraged to lodge 2006-07 tax returns
- 11 November 2008—BasicsCard delivers more than $3 million to the NT
- 7 November 2008—Joint Media Release—Pensioner financial investment revaluations complete
- 6 November 2008—Human Services staff join the Movember challenge
- 6 November 2008—New Managing Director of Australian Hearing
October
- 31 October 2008—Employers awarded for commitment to job seekers
- 29 October 2008—New hearing centre in Townsville to help ageing population
- 29 October 2008—FAST action to prevent stroke in older Australians
- 28 October 2008—Joint Media Release—Centrelink office opening at Deception Bay
- 22 October 2008—eService options provide greater convenience for carers
- 22 October 2008—New hearing centre in Canberra to help ageing population
- 20 October 2008—Special program recovers $28 million for children
- 16 October 2008—Separated parents improve relations with former partners
- 15 October 2008—Resignation of Medicare Australia CEO
- 15 October 2008—Centrelink working to deliver bonus payments to Australians
- 13 October 2008—Footy Gear Drive kicks off to help remote communities
- 9 October 2008—Joint Media Release—Extra flights assist Torres Strait students back to school
- 9 October 2008—Centrelink help available for self-funded retirees
- 8 October 2008—Queensland welfare cheats jailed for more than $121,000 fraud
- 6 October 2008—Joint Media Release—BasicsCard proving a winner—next stop Darwin
- 5 October 2008—Parents grow more positive about dealing with separation

- 2 October 2008—Medicare Australia extends contract with IBM
September
- 29 September 2008—Joint Media Release—New hearing centre in Toronto to help changing population
- 25 September 2008—Centrelink—still caring for the community after 11 years
- 24 September 2008—Joint Media Release—BasicsCard roll out underway after successful launch—Alice Springs next

- 22 September 2008 —Easing the financial burden of separation
- 18 September 2008—Milestone achievements for Drought Bus Program
- 17 September 2008—Welfare cheats caught in Centrelink fraud crackdown
- 17 September 2008—Joint Media Release—Centrelink services to relocate for 'Greensborough Project'
- 17 September 2008—Centrelink support available to Raptis Group workers
- 15 September 2008—Centrelink fraud crackdown saves taxpayers billions
- 12 September 2008—Online Services offer a helping hand during tax time
- 8 September 2008—Joint Media Release—Helping more Australians with disability into work
- 5 September 2008—Indigenous Apprenticeship Program wins national award
- 4 September 2008—Medicare compliance program saves $250 million
August
- 29 August 2008—Centrelink help for Dandenong boarding house residents
- 29 August 2008—Father’s Day: the contribution of separated dads
- 28 August 2008—Tip-off leads investigators to $123,000 welfare fraud

- 28 August 2008—Joint Media Release—International travel net tightens on child support evaders

- 13 August 2008—Review points to new ways to help Australians back to work
- 11 August 2008—New employment program launches Indigenous Australian into careers in the sky
- 8 August 2008—Support for the vulnerable in Homeless Persons’ Week
- 7 August 2008—Joint Media Release—Release of report on child support reforms
July
- 29 July 2008—Summit tackles overseas child support debt
- 29 July 2008—Joint Media Release—Hobart hub of international child support efforts
- 23 July 2008—Managing Director of Australian Hearing announces resignation
- 22 July 2008—Joint Media Release—Government unveils the Income Management BasicsCard
- 21 July 2008—Joint Media Release—Helping more disabled Australians into work
- 20 July 2008—Agency tax blitz recovers $20 million in child support
- 17 July 2008—Help available for pensioners affected by failed investments
- 15 July 2008—Centrelink fundraiser to help Newcastle's homeless
- 14 July 2008—Boost for Centrelink interpreters and translators
- 13 July 2008—On-time tax returns will help child support
- 3 July 2008—Doctor convicted for illegal PBS prescribing
- 1 July 2008—Welfare fraud sentences send clear warning
June
- 30 June 2008—A fairer Child Support Scheme begins
- 23 June 2008—Minister unveils tough new program to collect child support
- 16 June 2008—Email misinformation campaign continues to target refugees and age pensioners
- 14 June 2008—Joint Media Release—Better child care outcomes for student parents
- 12 June 2008—Pharmacist jailed for PBS fraud
May
- 30 May 2008—Gillard honours Australian pioneer Caroline Chisholm at Centrelink opening
- 30 May 2008—Child Support Agency turns 20
- 29 May 2008—Minister advises doctors to convert to online claiming—now
- 29 May 2008—Customers to benefit from smarter use of information and communication technology
- 22 May 2008—New Child Support assessments mail-out ends
- 18 May 2008—Tax return crackdown paying dividends in child support
- 15 May 2008—Resignation of Centrelink CEO
- 13 May 2008—Reform of service delivery to help families
- 13 May 2008—Combating welfare fraud to keep the system fair
- 13 May 2008—Easier electronic claiming for Medicare
- 13 May 2008—Joint Media Release—New Seniors Health Card and Family Payment Compliance
- 13 May 2008—Joint Media Release—Ensuring the Integrity of Medicare: Increased MBS Compliance Audits
- 13 May 2008—Joint Media Release—Debit Card to Improve Income Management
- 5 May 2008—Medicare claims records now available online
April
- 14 April 2008—Help for seniors coping with loss of a loved one
- 10 April 2008—Drought Bus continues tour of East Gippsland
- 8 April 2008—Top awards for Centrelink’s young employees
- 8 April 2008—Minister reminds people to lodge their tax return
- 6 April 2008—The Child Support Agency celebrates Seniors Week in NSW
- 5 April 2008—Family Separation Key Issue in National Youth Week
March
- 27 March 2008—More Locals May be Eligible for Small Business Drought Assistance
- 13 March 2008—Media Statement—Review of Centrelink Investigations
- 1 March 2008—Minister sends a timely reminder to call the Fraud Tip-Off Line
February
- 29 February 2008—Eight-year welfare fraud earns 24-month prison stretch
- 26 February 2008—Joint Media Release—Centrelink assistance for OneSteel workers
- 25 February 2008—Separated parents in flood affected areas encouraged to update income and care details
- 22 February 2008—Time online means less time in line for students
- 19 February 2008—Australian Government Drought bus on its way to help Mackay flood victims
- 18 February 2008—Centrelink goes onsite to help Mitsubishi workers
- 14 February 2008—Election commitment delivered
- 12 February 2008—Liberals’ reckless promise fails Launceston families
- 9 February 2008—Three years prison for $195,000 welfare fraudster
- 8 February 2008—Assistance available for Mitsubishi workers in Adelaide
- 1 February 2008—Almost 150,000 separated parents update their details ahead of the Child Support Scheme Reforms
- 1 February 2008—Lodge claims for Australian Government flood assistance now
January
- 29 January 2008—Getting a copy of your child’s immunisation history—as easy as ABC
- 29 January 2008—A helping hand for families—One million people access Family Assistance at Medicare offices
- 25 January 2008—Australia Day Achievement Awards for Centrelink Staff
- 25 January 2008—Centrelink open over the long weekend for flood assistance
- 25 January 2008—Booklet helps separated families turn new financial leaf
- 24 January 2008—More help for Queensland flood victims
- 22 January 2008—Extra Centrelink staff sent to Emerald
- 21 January 2008—Drought Bus hits the road to help flood victims
- 17 January 2008—Australia scores world first with most advanced telephone hearing test
- 15 January 2008—Practical back-to-school advice for separated families
- 12 January 2008—Federal—State collaboration advances electronic health agenda
- 11 January 2008—Murray-Darling Basin Drought Bus to visit Northern Victoria
- 8 January 2008—Murray-Darling Basin Drought Bus to visit Regional Victoria
2007
December
- 21 December 2007—Centrelink keeps the spirit of Christmas alive in Ipswich
- 21 December 2007—Give your children time this Christmas
- 21 December 2007—ANZ signs on to electronic Medicare claiming
- 19 December 2007—Giving the greatest gift—sign on to save lives at Medicare Australia
- 19 December 2007—Information sessions for Vision Kitchens workers at the Gold Coast
- 18 December 2007—Be PBS aware before you take to the air this Christmas
- 14 December 2007—Centrelink fundraiser helps rural kids with back-to-school costs
- 14 December 2007—Support only a phone call away this Christmas
- 13 December 2007—Assistance for Vision Kitchens workers at the Gold Coast
- 5 December 2007—Drought Bus visits South-Western Queensland