Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Since the government abolished the cashless debit card the consequences have been devastating, with police records showing an almost doubling of offences in Ceduna alone. In the gallery today are representatives from the northern Goldfields, who are here to speak to parliamentarians about the devastating effects the government's abolition of the cashless debit card are having on their communities. When will the Prime Minister reverse his reckless decision to abolish the cashless debit card?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will be meeting with the delegation who are here today. I understand from the media release from the member opposite that he has raised their meeting here and, of course, people should have the opportunity before this parliament to engage. It is something that my government does.

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

The member for Deakin has asked his question.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We respect people, we listen to people and we went to the election with a clear commitment—

Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're not listening! Crime has doubled!

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

The member for Deakin is on a warning, and if he interjects one more time he will leave the chamber.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We also understand that on so many of the issues that have been raised—for example, in the Northern Territory, where there hasn't been a change—there is substantial misinformation about the impact which has occurred there. The truth is that, in so many of these communities, what we're dealing with is intergenerational disadvantage. That is a failure of all governments across the board.

The shadow minister might like to think that everything was all okay beforehand, but the truth is that when you sit down and talk with communities, as I have around the country, they will inform you—

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

Order! The member for Hume.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

about these issues of intergenerational disadvantage, intergenerational unemployment and despair. This is something that has, certainly, brought me to the view that we need to try to do things better in the future. That's what my government has committed to do. I'd encourage those opposite, particularly the member opposite, to engage in a constructive way with the government to achieve solutions going forward in their interest.

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

The member for McEwen will cease interjecting. The member for Fremantle is warned.