No money in welfare

A TRIAL of cashless welfare cards across Western Australia and South Australia has officially been extended for a year, while Cape York will also get the controversial program.

The laws cleared Federal Parliament yesterday, with Labor’s backing.

Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher said the card was making a real difference to the lives of thousands of Australians.

Extending the trial would help the Government keep testing its effectiveness, he said, with a second evaluation now under way.