2016-03-16
The Coalition and Labor party have knocked back a Greens motion calling on the Government to ditch paternalistic income management that doesn’t work.
“The Government is rolling out cashless welfare card trials in Ceduna and the East Kimberley, despite evidence a top-down approach to alcohol and drug abuse, gambling doesn’t work. This is what prompted the motion today.
“We have already trialled income management. It’s called the Basics Card and has been going for early nine years in the Northern Territory. Evidence shows it has not delivered on its objectives.
“It is alarming that both the Coalition and Labor party won’t back a motion calling on the Government to adopt evidence based policy that will actually help people struggling with substance abuse.
“The Australian Greens will continue to oppose income management, whether it be the Basics Card or the Cashless Welfare Card.
“As the Ceduna and East Kimberley community will begin to learn, these card are more similar than the Government claims”.