The federal government is making plans to introduce a new form of welfare payment, which will restrict recipients from spending their money on alcohol or pokies. The plan is quite controversial and NSW’s Labor party is now speaking out against it. The proposed "Healthy Welfare Card" will allow welfare recipients to purchase essential items, and it will prohibit them from purchasing alcohol or using the funds to gamble.
It has been suggested that pornography be excluded from the list of restricted items. Initially, the welfare card would have been targeted at the indigenous community. However, upon further review, it will apply across the board for all welfare recipients. The government is keen to test the Healthy Welfare Card, and is currently in talks with major banks to determine how best to operate the program.
While the Healthy Welfare Card aims to benefit the community by reducing spending on gambling and alcohol, Labor is not particular pleased with the idea. They believe that it is not in the best interests of the individuals and families who receive welfare payments. "I have enormous reservations about a trial like that," says Linda Burney, spokesperson for Indigenous Affairs.
"If there is going to be such a trial it has to be done in absolute consultation with the community and with the voluntary participation of the community”. Her organisation is concerned about families’ access to cash for situations that are deemed non-essential but are still beneficial. Ms Burney named sporting events and school excursions as examples. Another concern is about emergency cash for healthcare and even funerals.
She also argues that it will likely be very expensive to implement the new program. It may cost millions of dollars to trial and introduce the Healthy Welfare Card, and the money could be better spent elsewhere.
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