2019-01-21
The Greens are calling on opposition leader Bill Shorten to commit to abolishing the cashless debit card, should they win Government this year.
“With Mr Shorten in Bundaberg today and the card set to rollout out in just over a week, he has the perfect opportunity to commit to scrapping this expensive, ineffective, punitive card,” Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said.
"I was in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay late last year with my colleague and Greens spokesperson for family and community services, Senator Rachel Siewert, and the local community is devastated by what this card will mean for them and their children.
“Labor did not support the rollout in Queensland and they should commit to scrapping the card if, but most likely when, they win Government.
“Control of your personal finances is very important for your dignity and sense of self-worth, that is taken away with compulsory income management and it should therefore be completely abolished in Australia.
"The money wasted on income management needs to be spent on better employment services, raising Newstart and drug, alcohol and mental health services. I’ve spent the last week in north and central Queensland and it’s been very apparent that all our regional areas need urgent improvements to these services and that’s where the Government’s focus should be.”
