Michael Sukkar MP

COALITION HOLDS CASHLESS DEBIT CARD ROUND TABLE WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS

THE HON MICHAEL SUKKAR MP

Shadow Minister for Social Services

Shadow Minister for NDIS

Shadow Minister for Housing

Shadow Minister for Homelessness

RICK WILSON MP

Federal Member for O’Connor

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

27 March 2023

COALITION HOLDS CASHLESS DEBIT CARD ROUND TABLE WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS

Representatives from Western Australia’s Northern Goldfields travelled to Canberra and met with the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton and members of the Coalition for a round table discussion on the Albanese Government’s disastrous decision to abolish the Cashless Debit Card (CDC).

Patrick Hill, President of the Shire of Laverton and Peter Craig, President of the Shire of Leonora – representatives who have lived experience on the ground – provided accounts of the real impact seen since Labor removed compulsory income management and attributed the card’s removal to the chaos which is unfolding.

The representatives also unsuccessfully sought a meeting with the Prime Minister during their visit to Parliament House.

During the Leader of the Opposition’s visit to the region in February, Mr Dutton heard firsthand accounts of changes that were occurring in the community by the removal of compulsory income management: the rivers of grog are flowing, children are being neglected and innocent people are subject to violence.

Labor was repeatedly warned that abolishing the compulsory Cashless Debit Card would lead to drugs and alcohol-fuelled violence being unleashed into vulnerable communities, and it is evidently having a devastating impact on women and children.

It is disappointing to see the Prime Minister abandon these communities.

The Coalition is calling on Labor to do the right thing by these communities and reinstate the compulsory Cashless Debit Card.

Ends