Senior federal Labor frontbencher Tony Burke has warned that the cashless debit card makes it more difficult for welfare recipients because it forces them away from small businesses that
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged a national roll-out of the cashless debit card - which aims to prevent welfare payments being spent on alcohol, drugs and gambling - telling Nine newspapers on Sunday that results from trials of the program were "commending itself for wider application".
While he indicated this would be potentially aimed at an under-30s age group, he also said he would be prepared to be patient to ensure communities embrace the program before a nationwide expansion.
Labor's Tony Burke says the cashless debit card makes it more difficult for welfare recipients. Source: AAP
"The government will be forcing people away from small businesses to buy products at a higher price to make it harder for people to make ends meet," Mr Burke, the manager of opposition business in the House of Representatives, told Sky News on Sunday.
The prime minister also defended his plans to have another crack at trialling drug testing for new job seekers to "help people get on their feet again".
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated he wants to broaden the use of the cashless debit card. Source: AAP
The legislation will be put forward this week as parliament resumes after the long winter break.
But Labor has labelled the reintroduction of the
The cashless welfare card. Source: AAP
It comes at a time when the government has repeatedly resisted calls to increase Newstart, saying the priority is to get people off welfare and into work.
Labor's shadow spokeswoman for families and social services Linda Burney said the number of people over 55 who received Newstart had increased by over 45 per cent over a five-year period under the coalition.
"Older Australians experience particular difficulty in re-entering the workforce due to structural barriers and age discrimination," she said in a statement.
Linda Burney. Source: AAP
Mr Burke said the prime minister wanted to humiliate those people even further through drug testing.
"Walking into the office, having to urinate into a cup, having pieces of their hair plucked out, having to spit in to a jar, and all of this for what?" Mr Burke said.
"(Mr Morrison) thinks it's a clever political battle with Labor. It won't create a job, It humiliates people. It's not a sensible policy."
