Revoking of the Cashless Debit Card

Senator VAN (Victoria) (20:49): The Labor Party have clearly shown us that they're not ready for government. And we all knew that. They've shown, in their short time in government, that all they can do is make grandiose statements that sound nice on social media but do not actually make one bit of difference in people's lives. We saw this recently. During the entirety of the 46th Parliament they harped on about integrity, and, within the first couple of months of government, they've had multiple ministers breach their ministerial code of conduct. I'm amazed there's not one in here tonight! And how did the PM deal with this breach of ministerial standards? Nothing—he didn't do anything to deal with it. He simply swept it under the carpet.

Here we're seeing this pattern—of making statements but acting in another way—again, with the repeal of the cashless debit card. Despite all their talk about caring for our First Nations people, we see that this is all hollow, with the legislation now before us. The Albanese government's decision to abolish the cashless debit card has given the green light to more grog, drug abuse and violence in some of our most vulnerable communities, without ever studying any social impact of what might come out of this—without any evidence.

You talk about the ANAO report, which clearly says that they can't tell whether it worked or not because of the wraparound services that you were just alleging weren't provided. Now you're going to have to spend even more on those, because you can't even help people manage their own lives. It's all about grandiose statements.

This was an innovative program, designed to tackle social harm—something the Labor Party should give a damn about. It was particularly associated with the harms around drug and alcohol addiction in communities with high rates of long-term social security dependence—not random communities here and there, not 'from my day or two in Hinkler', not 'from my little junket here and there', but based on evidence.

As my friend and colleague sitting next to me, Senator Liddle, has pointed out so rightly on numerous occasions in this chamber, the cashless debit card is an important tool in the mix of the solutions.

Senator Rice:

Your government failed.

Senator VAN: Would you like to debate on that? Okay; get on your feet.

There is no silver bullet when dealing with such complex social problems—as the Greens would like us to think. The cashless debit card has played an important role in reducing rates of alcoholism and gambling in remote Indigenous communities. Findings from an independent impact evaluation by the University—

Senator Rice:

But if you read the ANAO report—

Senator VAN: Yes, I just referred to that! And, if you would stop interjecting, I might be able to tell you of a little bit more evidence, Senator Rice. Findings from an independent impact evaluation by the University of Adelaide, released in 2021, reported that the cashless debit card had helped recipients improve the lives of themselves, their family and their community. So you might just want to note that, Senator Rice—through you, Chair. Findings include, Senator Rice—

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT (Senator Pratt):

You will direct your comments through the chair, please, Senator Van.

Senator VAN: Which I just did, Madam Deputy—

Senator VAN: The findings include: 25 per cent of people reported drinking less since the cashless debit card's introduction; 21 per cent of cashless debit card participants reported gambling less—21 per cent, Senator Liddle; 21 per cent. And evidence found that cash previously used for gambling had been redirected to essentials such as food, Senator Rice—through you, Madam Chair. You're asking for evidence. This report said that 45 per cent of cashless debit card participants reported that the card had improved things for themselves and their family.

Senator VAN: And, as I said, Senator Rice, the ANAO couldn't make that call because of all the wraparound services. That's their report. This top-down, consultation-poor—

Senator VAN: I did that through you, Chair, if you go back to the transcript.

Senator VAN: Go back to the transcript; I did it through you, Chair, and I will continue on doing so. This top-down consultation-poor paternalistic approach by the Labor government is becoming a defining feature of their approach to policy. If they listened to communities, those currently using the card, they would see how bad an idea it is to repeal this. Tammy Williams from the Family Responsibilities Commission said, 'The majority of people now using the CDC on Cape York are doing it on a voluntary basis.' I will repeat that: on a voluntary basis. Noel Pearson, the founder and director of the Cape York Partnership and one of Australia's leading lights said that this legislation will wipe out 20 years of his work.

Senator Chisholm, you may want to pay attention.

Senator VAN: Madam Acting Deputy President, Senator Chisholm might want to stop and listen to what I am saying because it's contradicting what he just said.

Senator Chisholm:

Have you met him?

Senator VAN: Yes, of course. Mayor Perry from the District Council of Ceduna said, 'We have had no consultation about it at all. The first we heard was in the PM's election promises that he was going to do it. Prior to that we had no representation from any Labor politicians.' Must have been in Hinkler, Senator Chisholm—through, you, Madam Chair. If the government had any respect for the communities, as they constantly say they have, one would think that they would have spent some time talking to them to see how this legislation would affect their lives.

Senator VAN: Thank you, Madam Chair, I would appreciate the silence, too. This truly worries me, because it is these communities that will be affected by the carelessness of those opposite. It also worries me because it looks like they're taking the same approach to their Voice to Parliament. They're asking Australians to make a change to our Constitution without providing us any detail of what those changes will be and without having any proper engagement or consultation. With such an important change, that would have far-reaching changes to the rest of society. If they approach the Voice to Parliament in a similar manner to which they have the cashless debit card, I fear that this government will implement changes that will hurt Australians even further.

The government now clearly recognise they've made a terrible error with this bill. Their own amendments will allow Cape York, the CDC trial sites, and those in the NT who voluntary transitioned from the BasicsCard to the CDC, to remain on that card.

As my friend and colleague, Senator Nampijinpa Price, said in a moving first speech, '…the removal of the cashless debit card, which allowed countless families on welfare to feed their children rather than seeing the money claimed by kinship demand from alcoholics, substance abusers and gamblers in their own family group.' It is time that those opposite have a good hard look at themselves.

The role of government is to improve the lives of people, not to actively make them worse. What the government is doing by pushing this bill through by any means necessary is making those most vulnerable worse off.