Termination of cashless welfare cards on the horizon
The federal government is moving to abandon cashless debit cards after an audit highlighted a “lack of evidence to demonstrate [their] effectiveness”.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, has announced plans to terminate the program and establish alternative solutions to minimising gambling and alcohol consumption.
She cites a report by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) and briefings from the department responsible as rationale for her decision.
“The ANAO highlighted the lack of evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Cashless Debit Card,” Ms Rishworth wrote in a statement.
Notably, the audit found while efforts had been made to improve the controversial scheme, the Morrison government did not attempt to establish whether the card delivered any of the benefits it set out to achieve.
“The former Coalition government spent more than $170 million on the privatised Cashless Debit Card – money that could have been spent on services locals need,” Ms Rishworth continued.
The Labor government plans to consult with local communities to develop an alternative.
Media Release: Abolishing the Cashless Debit Card pic.twitter.com/k14itKzImh
— Amanda Rishworth MP (@AmandaRishworth) June 3, 2022
Image: A Current Affair