The Minister for Human Services, the Hon Alan Tudge MP, together with the Member for Hinkler, the Hon Keith Pitt MP, outlined Bundaberg and Hervey Bay as the next trial sites for the Government’s cashless welfare card program.
It is expected more than 6,500 people in Queensland’s Wide Bay region will be forced to participate in the trial that sees 80 per cent of welfare payments quarantined onto a debit card, which cannot then be used for the purchase of gambling or alcohol products. People aged 35 and under, and who are on unemployment or parenting benefits, will participate in this trial.
The Human Services Minister said the area was chosen due to high youth unemployment, intergenerational welfare dependence and the availability of drugs, and prevalence of alcohol and gambling in the area.
Heeding calls from the Opposition regarding the lack of support services on the ground to augment the program, the Minister also outlined that the Government would invest an additional $1m into community services in the area.
