Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forest has recently put forth a plan to that will ban welfare recipients from using their earnings to gamble or purchase alcohol. His proposal suggests that all welfare is paid onto a health welfare card, and it will be considered by the Abbott government. Forest’s proposed welfare cards will be linked to the bank accounts of recipients. New technology will prevent them from using their cards on ‘prohibited goods’.
These include alcohol at pubs and in stores as well as gambling services. While the plan is controversial, it aims to ensure that welfare is only used on essential items. These items include rent, food and children’s clothing. It will be part of an ‘income management’ service. All welfare recipients will be forced to take part, with the exception of pensioners and veterans.
The service will ensure that parents only use their money to help raise healthy children and take care of themselves. There will be no discretionary spending. Another important issue in his 244-page report concerns family tax benefits. If parents fail to ensure that their children attend school, they will be penalised and they will not receive their funding. This ensures that parents remain accountable for their children’s education.
Forest has confirmed that he has consulted with banks and supermarkets across the country on the plan to introduce ‘health welfare cards’. He is confident that the cards can be programmed successfully to ensure that user will only be able to make essential purchases. Noel Pearson of Cape York and other Aboriginal leaders have already backed the plan.
Forest is certain that it will help to improve Aboriginal health, education and employments. It also has the potential to drive down problem gambling rates and gambling losses.
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