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Greens call for more investment in services, not welfare debit card system
The Australian Greens have expressed their strong concerns over the Government's proposed welfare debit card system.
"This is the wrong approach to welfare in this country, and I'm astonished that the Rudd Government considers it appropriate," said Greens spokesperson on Family & Community Affairs, Senator Rachel Siewert.
The proposed debit card will contain a portion of a family's welfare payment which can only be spent on necessities like food and clothing.
"We have a Budget that is cutting social services bit by bit. A system such as this will cost a large amount of money. The administration costs of welfare quarantining in the NT alone until the end of January has been over $72 million."
"Why is the Government going for expensive, untried systems rather than spending money where it is actually needed? We should be investing that money in real outcomes in health, more child protection workers, better equipped education and more community support systems," said Senator Siewert.
"Jenny Macklin is making the gross assumption that all people on welfare fail to look after their kids. Do we really want a Government pursuing a conservative dogma of stigmatising people in situations of need?"
"There are some great examples out there of welfare systems successfully tackling this type of problem without having to resort to punitive methods. In Mexico they have been developing a system called
Opportunidadesthat is based on rewards and a positive approach rather than punishment and negative incentive.""The Australian people are looking for a fresh, new approach from this Government, not a return to the previous administration. I am dismayed that Minister Macklin is taking on so much from the Howard agenda," she concluded.
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For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025 or email senator.siewert@aph.gov.au
