Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Labor's decision to scrap the cashless debit card has led to an increase in crime, gambling, alcohol fuelled violence and child neglect. I'm receiving reports from locals in the town of Kununurra that schoolchildren who would otherwise have had money set aside for their canteen lunches are now going hungry. This was often the only meal that they would have had that day. When will this Labor government recognise that their reckless move to scrap the cashless debit card is leading to poorer outcomes in some of our country's most vulnerable communities?

Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. I would like to first acknowledge that in the Kimberley region there has been extensive flooding and there's been a lot of disruption. I am aware that there's been an influx of people into larger communities across the Kimberley due to the impacts of the recent severe floods, which have caused evacuations and significant damage.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those opposite might think the flooding events in the Kimberley are a joke, but they are not. They are not. I firstly want to acknowledge all those who have been impacted by this severe flooding across the Kimberley region, and my thoughts are with those who are starting to recover. Recovering from these events will take a significant time. The opposition has shown real desperation now, I think—to link the influx of people, the dislocation of people and the array of issues that are faced by the people of Broome, Derby and Kununurra as a result of these floods.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Longman does not need to assist. I give the call to the member for Durack on a point of order.

Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Relevance: the people of the East Kimberley simply want to know whether you will acknowledge the recklessness of your decision—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Resume your seat. That is close to an abuse of the standing order, but out of respect for the member for Durack she may remain in the chamber.

Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do understand that, as a result of and connected to the disruption and dislocation of many people across the region as well as the disruption of policing services, there has been a rise in antisocial behaviour in Broome, Derby and Kununurra. Two of these places were never subject to the cashless debit card. Of course, from this side of the House we are going to continue to deliver the supports that people need, including the Minister for Emergency Services delivering improvements across the board to support those recovering and to ensure that those throughout the Kimberley region, including in the East Kimberley, get the supports and services that make a difference and that they need. Importantly, I want to recognise that we have locked in ongoing funding for a range of support services like children's and parents' support services.