Lambie sceptical over card

BURNIE has its share of drug and alcohol problems but there was no merit in extending a trial of the Federal Government’s controversial cashless debit card to Tasmania’s northwest, Senator Jacqui Lambie says.

“The card’s been designed to work in communities with crisis levels of drug and alcohol abuse where people are getting so blind drunk they are collapsing on highways and being cleaned up by long-haul trucks,” she said.

“Some people are having really positive experiences with the card and some are having a tough time with it. But it’s not having as good a result as it should because the government still hasn’t realised that it’s no good cutting off cash if you can’t get someone sober and studying and working.”

Trials of the card are already underway at Ceduna in South Australia, Western Australia’s East Kimberley and Goldfields and Bundaberg and Hervey Bay in Queensland.

Those on the Cashless Debit Card receive 20 per cent of their welfare payment in their regular bank account. The rest goes on the card.

It cannot be used to buy alcohol, gambling products, some gift cards or to withdraw cash. “I’m not sure what we have got to learn from a trial here that we are not going to learn from the current sites,” Senator Lambie said. “We would just be expanding a trial at great cost to the taxpayer and the community and not learn anything new.”

It is estimated that restricting how Centrelink recipients spend their money is costing the taxpayer $10,000 per participant.

Senator Lambie’s comments were sparked by Braddon MP Gavin Pearce’s reported support of a trial in his community if Canberra recommended it.

Mr Pearce backtracked a little yesterday saying he “was not actively seeking a trail of a Cashless Debit Card” in the State’s northwest.

“What I am on record as saying is that I would widely consult with stakeholders if such a trail is proposed by the Minister,” Mr Pearce said.

“I’m committed to ensuring that families who rely upon welfare are supported in the best way possible.”

Tasmanian Treasurer Peter Gutwein said Senator Lambie has raised the issue with him but it was a federal issue.

“There are trial sites that are being assessed at the moment and we’ll wait for the outcome of those trials,” he said.