More cashless welfare on cards

COMMUNITY leaders are clamouring to join the Federal Government’s cashless welfare card scheme with two new trial sites to be announced within weeks.

But the Greens have raised concerns about an increase in crime in a town where the cards are already in use and urging the prime minister to scrap them altogether.

Human Services Minister Alan Tudge yesterday introduced legislation to extend two existing trials and expand the program to other sites.

He told parliament the cards had proven effective in Western Australia’s East Kimberley and Ceduna in South Australia, with a recent review finding alcohol consumption, illegal drug use and gambling had fallen.

The cards quarantine 80 per cent of welfare payments for use on food and other essentials, while the remainder is free to be withdrawn as cash.

Mr Tudge said many communities had expressed interest in using the cards in their regions and consultations were well under way.

The Greens pointed to WA Police statistics showing an increase in non-aggravated robberies, theft and threatening behaviour at Kununurra since the cards were introduced.

“For those managing on a shoestring budget the card makes life more difficult and those that are struggling with addiction will find ways around it,” Greens senator Rachel Siewert said.

The new legislation removes the limit of three trial sites and end date of June 30, 2018.