Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has declined to say whether or not he supports a trial of the cashless debit card for welfare recipients in Dubbo.
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The Daily Liberal asked Mr Coulton for his views on the cards, which are being rolled out to more locations as part of a federal government trial in parts of South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.
Eighty per cent of a persons Newstart unemployment or Youth Allowance benefits are quarantined on the cards and cannot be used to withdraw cash, gamble or buy alcohol or drugs. The other 20 per cent of a persons benefits are put into their normal bank account.
"As a government, we are committed to finding the best ways to support people, families and communities in places where high levels of welfare dependence co-exist with high levels of social harm," Mr Coulton said when asked if he supported a trial of the cashless debit cards in the Parkes electorate.
"This initiative is not intended as a punishment," he said.
"It's an effective way of supporting Australians on welfare to have more control of their lives, and ensure they are able to put the needs of their children and family first.
"The trial is testing whether reducing the amount of cash available in a community will reduce the overall harm caused by welfare-fuelled alcohol, gambling and drug misuse. At the same time, it encourages personal responsibility and financial management."
The St Vincent de Paul society has criticised the government's cashless debit card trials, which its chief executive officer Toby O'Connor described as punitive.
"The cashless debit card carries a high risk of intended and expensive consequences for government and the community, including social exclusion and stigmatisation, increased financial hardship, the erosion of individual autonomy and dignity and an increase in the overall cost of social security provision," Mr O'Connor said.
"A review of multiple evaluations has found that the most effective income management schemes are voluntary, target people with high need and operate in tandem with a suite of support services.
"The most recent evaluation of the card does not provide sufficient evidence to justify an expansion of the trial."
