It’s a controversial and expensive initiative but Bundaberg and Hervey Bay are set to trial the ‘Cashless Welfare Cards’ as the number of people on benefits increases.

The statistics are staggering: 60 per cent of people under 30 currently on newstart, will still be on newstart in a decade.

Social Services Minister, Dan Tehan says the extraordinary cost is nothing compared to what will happen if things don’t change.

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