Media Release by The Hon Dan Tehan MP

Cashless Debit Card legislation introduced

Joint Media Release with:

  • Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Member for Hinkler, The Hon Keith Pitt MP

The Turnbull Government has urged the Parliament to support the Cashless Debit Card trial in Hinkler and help break the cycle of welfare dependency.

The Government today introduced legislation to roll out the Cashless Debit Card in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region.

The Cashless Debit Card cannot be used to buy alcohol or gambling products and limits cash withdrawals to 20 per cent of a welfare payment. During the trial, income support participants under 36 will be placed on the card.

Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan said the Cashless Debit Card was helping people manage their income and stabilise their lives.

“Intergenerational welfare dependence is ruining families, there are some young people who have never seen their parents, and even their grandparents, hold down a job,” Mr Tehan said. “Doing nothing is not an option and I urge the Parliament to pass this legislation and help the people of Hinkler to help themselves.”

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt MP said the Cashless Debit Card would make a positive change to the local community.

“The Cashless Debit Card will tackle a problem that everyone in our community knows exists,” Mr Pitt said. “This will be a targeted trial rolled out to people in our electorate that need help. It will not be rolled out to age pensioners.”

Independent research into the Cashless Debit Card has shown positive results at the other trial locations, in Ceduna and East Kimberley, where less drinking, gambling and drug use has been reported.