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ABOLISHING THE CDC MAKES A BAD SITUATION WORSE
THE HON MICHAEL SUKKAR MP
Shadow Minister for Social Services
Shadow Minister for NDIS
Shadow Minister for Housing
Shadow Minister for Homelessness
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 2 November 2022
ABOLISHING THE CDC MAKES A BAD SITUATION WORSE
Every new government’s first Federal Budget should be memorable, but Australians will be remembering Labor’s Budget for all the wrong reasons.
The so-called ‘bread and butter’ Budget delivered nothing for hardworking Australians, nothing to address the nation’s cost of living crisis and absolutely nothing to support the vital social services sector.
The inclusion of almost $217.7 million (over 4 years from 2022–23) to abolish the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) is one of the single largest additional portfolio costs, which will just make a bad situation worse in vulnerable communities.
Labor’s decision to axe the CDC without any consultation with the thousands of Australians who rely on it will have devastating consequences.
It has now been more than three weeks since the opt-out was introduced, and the Albanese Government has inadequate transitional support in place for people who desperately depend on the CDC, and it isn’t clear when the Government’s newly proposed ‘voluntary income management’ replacement will commence.
This comes after the Albanese Government conceded the CDC’s abolishment will lead to more alcohol, drug abuse, childhood neglect and violence in vulnerable communities.
Just last week, during Four Corners special ‘How Many More?’, the ABC highlighted the rampant crisis of violence against women in Indigenous communities. Pouring more alcohol and drugs into these communities by abolishing the CDC is the last thing vulnerable women and children need.
No tangible details have been provided about what the new ‘voluntary income management’ will achieve for those who need it most, showing Labor hasn’t done the work, and are willing to compromise the safety of those in vulnerable communities for purely ideological reasons.