Michael Sukkar MP

COALITION COMMITS TO RESTORING THE CASHLESS DEBIT CARD

THE HON MICHAEL SUKKAR MP
Shadow Minister for Social Services
Shadow Minister for NDIS
Shadow Minister for Housing
Shadow Minister for Homelessness

THE HON PAUL FLETCHER MP
Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy
Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts
Manager of Opposition Business

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

16 May 2023

COALITION COMMITS TO RESTORING THE CASHLESS DEBIT CARD

The Coalition has used the Budget in Reply speech to show our commitment to Australians, during these tough times and beyond.

The Coalition remains committed to vulnerable Australians and will reinstate the successful Cashless Debit Card (CDC) in communities that previously saw its success, and in communities that see the need for the income management program.

This will mean taxpayer funded payments can be spent on food for children and essential items, and not wasted on alcohol, gambling and drugs, which we are witnessing being imposed on vulnerable communities.

Labor was repeatedly warned that abolishing the compulsory CDC would give the green light to drug and alcohol-fuelled violence being unleashed into vulnerable communities, and this decision is evidently having a devastating impact on women and children.

Community leaders have spoken out about the devastation impacting their communities, saying the CDC’s removal is to blame.

In July, members of the Coalition will visit the Northern Territory and meet with local stakeholders impacted by Labor’s crusade against the CDC.

Labor labelled the CDC ‘a failed program’, yet they shamelessly committed $217.7 million to relaunch the same service to provide voluntary income management to vulnerable communities.

Ministers Rishworth and Shorten have refused to explain the nature of confidential briefings from Services Australia which warned the government about ‘IT issues’ associated with the rushed relaunch.

Only the Coalition has a proven track record of keeping vulnerable communities safe.

Ends