Michael Sukkar MP

VOLUNTARY INCOME MANAGEMENT WILL DO NOTHING FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

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

Friday, 10 February 2023

VOLUNTARY INCOME MANAGEMENT WILL DO NOTHING FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

After abolishing the Coalition’s successful Cashless Debit Card (CDC) late last year, a rise in alcohol-related antisocial behaviour, violence and abuse has forced the Labor Government to implement a ‘new’ voluntary income management card.

The Coalition warned Labor’s careless decision would leave thousands of CDC participants in limbo, failing to provide any adequate transitional support, and now this Government is facing the music.

Vulnerable communities are already feeling the devastation since the repeal of the CDC, which has led to an influx of crime, gambling, alcohol-fuelled violence, and child neglect.

Labor’s new SmartCard will do nothing for participants in Ceduna, the East Kimberley, the Goldfields, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay because it removes the compulsory nature of the income management service.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth does not seem to be taking the issue seriously, evading questions during Wednesday’s Question Time on the erupted violence in CDC communities – instead blaming the ‘influx of people into larger communities’ on recent flooding events.

More action urgently needs to be taken to help women and children, and Australians deserve a Government that is not going to walk away from vulnerable communities.

The unnecessary transition, imposed for ideological reasons, will generate many thousands of customer interactions with Services Australia – imposing extra costs which taxpayers will bear, and creating a burden of time and anxiety for Australians being transitioned off the CDC.

This Minister has completely botched this entire process, and remote communities are now suffering the consequences of this incompetent Labor Government.

Ends