Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

The government, as colleagues would be aware, is committed to reducing the social harm caused by welfare-fuelled alcohol and drug abuse, and gambling, in areas with high levels of welfare dependency.

The cashless debit card program we commenced in Ceduna in South Australia on 15 March 2016, and legislation permits the continuation of the CDC in this site until 30 June 2019. The trial was co-designed with community leaders in Ceduna to best meet local needs. The local member, I should acknowledge—the member for Grey—was vital in getting this card rolled out in Ceduna. Less money being spent on alcohol, drugs and gambling means there is more available to help families pay for the essentials—for food, for clothing and for bills. The effects of alcohol and drug misuse are long-lasting and extensive. Individuals living in families where substance misuse occurs are more likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system, be diagnosed with a mental illness and experience poverty.

Since the introduction of the CDC in Ceduna, there has been a decrease in alcohol related hospital presentations, including a 37 per cent reduction in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the first quarter of 2016. Monthly apprehensions under the Public Intoxication Act of South Australia were 54 per cent lower between March 2016 and June 2016 compared with the same period in 2015. The number of people supported by specialist homelessness services in the Ceduna region decreased by 42 per cent in the quarter since implementation of the CDC, and I'm sure these are things that all colleagues would welcome.