ABC News Radio, Drive, with Tracey Holmes
TRACEY HOLMES:
(inaudible) so called income management for aboriginal people. Territory Health Minister Robyn Lambley said her government had to fight the Commonwealth to get 70 per cent of income quarantined under the policy. Up to 20,000 people are on the program across the region and the Minister says it’s particularly important for managing alcohol addiction. The Federal Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews joins us now.
Minister is the income management program in the Northern Territory under review?
MINISTER ANDREWS:
Well the Federal Government remains committed to income management, we have put a whole range of issues to the McClure welfare inquiry to see how we can best and more efficiently deliver programs in the future but we remain committed to income management, indeed we are rolling out a further income management program in Ceduna in South Australia.
TRACEY HOLMES:
So at this point it’s not entirely under review; do you think it should be?
MINISTER ANDREWS:
Well we’re looking, as I said, at the best way we can deliver a whole range of welfare programs, but we are committed to income management, we’re not moving away from that but we want to deliver it in the most efficient way.
TRACEY HOLMES:
Up to 20,000 people have their income quarantined by up to 70 per cent, how do you measure whether it’s actually a success or not?
MINISTER ANDREWS:
Well reports that we’ve had back, particularly a whole range of anecdotal reports, say that, the participants say that it gives them more money for food, it helps them buy clothing it has improved their ability for children to go to school, reduced usage of cigarettes and alcohol etcetera, so the reports are overwhelmingly positive about income management.
TRACEY HOLMES:
The ANU did a study and they found that the large scale survey of those subject to income management revealed that the majority of participants reported little change for the range of outcomes examined.
MINISTER ANDREWS:
Well that’s not the feedback I’ve had, particularly from women. Women in particular, people who get humbugged in many indigenous communities unfortunately around Australia, basically say that this gives them a new freedom, a new ability to actually control their money and an ability particularly to look after their kids.
TRACEY HOLMES:
So if it’s a successful program is it being considered for the wider community, so that all Australians that have a problem with alcohol will systematically be put on a similar program?
MINISTER ANDREWS:
Well I’ve certainly said in the past that I would like to see some expansion of income management but that’s the sort of question that’s gone to the McClure Review. The reason that we’ve continued the funding for a year is to allow Mr McClure and the other members of the reference group to look at these sorts of issues. His discussion paper will be out, probably next week, and people will have an opportunity then to engage in the consultations.
TRACEY HOLMES:
Alright we’ll continue to follow it. Thank you very much for joining us today.
MINISTER ANDREWS:
My pleasure.