Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) compulsory income management failed to meet policy objectives as assessed by the final evaluation of the Northern Territory Intervention,

(ii) the cashless welfare card is a harsher form of income management, and

(iii) the evidence suggests That the cashless welfare card will not help people struggling with substance abuse, and may hurt many people on income support; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

(i) abandon income management,

(ii) halt the unnecessary cashless welfare card trial in Ceduna, and

(iii) adopt evidence based policy that will genuinely support individuals and communities struggling with substance abuse.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will not be supporting this motion. I am pleased to advise that yesterday saw the first cashless welfare debit cards issued as part of a trial in Ceduna aimed at reducing welfare fuelled alcohol, drug and gambling abuse. The government has worked closely with the Ceduna community on the co-design of the cashless debit card trial over the last 12 months, which provides a Visa cashless debit card to all working-age income support recipients, along with additional drug and alcohol and other support services. Over $1 million of additional services have been put in place in preparation for this trial. This includes additional drug and alcohol services, a 24/7 mobile outreach service and financial counselling.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Siewert be agreed to.