Michael Sukkar MP

GROG BAN PROOF LABOR IS FAILING FORMER CASHLESS DEBIT CARD COMMUNITIES

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

SENATOR KERRYNNE LIDDLE
Shadow Assistant Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence

MEDIA RELEASE

18 April 2024

GROG BAN PROOF LABOR IS FAILING FORMER CASHLESS DEBIT CARD COMMUNITIES

Labor repeatedly ignored the Coalition’s warnings that abolishing the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) would give the green light to drug and alcohol-fuelled violence in the vulnerable communities that once had it, and now we are seeing the results of this Government’s neglect.

Labor’s decision to abolish the highly successful CDC has had a devastating impact in the former trial sites over the past two years, seen through a rise in alcohol abuse, child neglect and violence in these communities.

Rising levels of anti-social behaviour, crime and alcohol-related harm in and around Ceduna in South Australia, a former CDC site, has prompted a three-month trial of alcohol restrictions from Monday.

The statistics don’t lie – the voluntary income management ‘SmartCard’ that Labor implemented is not working – and the fact these restrictions are being put in place is further evidence that the rivers of grog have returned and the devastating consequences with it.

This Government continues to fail in its promise to be transparent with the Australian people on a daily basis, seen recently through the findings of an independent review into the aftermath of scrapping the CDC being kept secret.

Given the interim report was prepared almost a year ago, Anthony Albanese must come clean on the findings of the review into the abolition of the CDC and the serious impact it is having on those communities.

The Coalition remains committed to vulnerable Australians and will reinstate the successful 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.

Ends