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Cashless welfare card to stop addicts using money on drugs, alcohol and gambling
SAMANTHA MAIDENNATIONAL POLITICAL EDITOR THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 22, 2015 12:00AM SHARE
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A cashless welfare card trial, similar the the Basics card which was trialled in some sub
A cashless welfare card trial, similar the the Basics card which was trialled in some suburbs before, is set to be brought in by the government.
A CASHLESS welfare card that stops addicts spending taxpayer-funded cash on drugs, alcohol and gambling will be trialled in some states by the end of the year.
Designed to combat rising levels of domestic violence against women and children, including in remote communities where up to one in 10 women are being bashed, the proposal was the brainchild of mining magnate Andrew Forrest.
The Sunday Telegraph understands the Abbott Government will announce the card will go ahead in coming weeks and limited trials are planned.
The rising scourge of the drug ice is among the issues that the trial is designed to address, with fears parents are spending welfare cash on drugs instead of food for their children.
But the biggest problem in disadvantaged communities is alcohol abuse, with heavy drinking a factor in up to half of all child abuse cases and domestic violence.
The welfare card would operate as a normal bank debit card that could not be used to purchase alcohol in pubs, clubs or liquor outlets or on gambling.
Parliamentary secretary Alan Tudge stressed that consultation was continuing but said he was hopeful that some communities would be open a trial.
“Alcohol is an absolute poison that runs through some of these communities,’’ Mr Tudge said.
“The objective is to address the enormous social harm of welfare fuelled drug and alcohol use.
“I think this reform could absolutely change the lives of some women and children.
“If you are on welfare and not a heavy drinker or gambler, the impact of the card would be absolutely minimal.
“You could use it for anything, anywhere, except for alcohol and the pokies And because cash would be limited it would restrict the purchase of drugs.’’
Tony Abbott and Andrew Forrest, who came up with the proposal about a welfare trial.
Tony Abbott and Andrew Forrest, who came up with the proposal about a welfare trial.
While Mr Forrest originally proposed the scheme to address Aboriginal disadvantage and welfare dependency, the proposal to trial the card will be aimed more broadly at communities deeply affected by violence and intergenerational welfare dependency.
The Abbott Government has spent months negotiating with banks over how to introduce the cashless welfare card. It would work in any store that accepted VISA, EFTPOS and Mastercard.
More than 20,000 Australians already have their welfare payments controlled under income management that helps ensure rent, food and bills are paid before the money is spent.
You could use it for anything, anywhere, except for alcohol and the pokies And because cash would be limited it would restrict the purchase of drugs
- Parliamentary secretary Alan Tudge
However, income management is regarded as a very expensive and intensive way to ensure that payments are spent on basics before drugs and alcohol.
These schemes quarantine a portion of welfare payments to prevent money being spent on alcohol, cigarettes and pornography.
According to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the introduction of similar schemes in South Africa have also reduced fraud.
“For those still needing support to get them back on track, other financial counselling services could be made available that build on different commercial services and pilots currently available as an alternative to the costly income management system,’’ the Forrest welfare review states.
“A cashless welfare card managed through existing financial services arrangements will generate significant savings for government because individuals will move to employment more quickly as they are able to concentrate on their return to work.
“Fraud would be minimised, and over time, emergency relief payments and crisis services would be reduced through a longer-term reduction in welfare reliance.
“Over the same time period intensive prenatal and early childhood services will be developing children better able to learn and succeed. Any savings generated should be reinvested into the preventive prenatal and early childhood development.’’