BRADDON Liberal MHR Brett Whiteley has suggested using the North-West as a trial site for the federal government's controversial cashless welfare card scheme. The so-called Healthy Welfare Card, which is aimed to prohibit welfare money from being used on gambling, drugs and alcohol, will be trialled at the end of the year. Mr Whiteley said he would support the initiative being rolled out in his own electorate. "I have no hesitation in putting the North-West forward as a trial site," he said. "The government has a responsibility to support vulnerable people, but that support is not unconditional. "The vast majority of people on welfare benefits do the right thing, but there are many that don't. "Taxpayers don't mind helping those that need help, but they shouldn't be out there working their backsides off to pay for someone's drug and alcohol habit." Mr Whiteley said the cards could have an impact on reducing domestic violence. A state government spokesman said there had been no formal discussions with the Commonwealth about any trials. "Overcoming welfare dependency, particularly when it is inter-generational, is a very complex and difficult issue," the spokesman said. "The Tasmanian government does not believe there is a single solution to reversing welfare dependency. "Instead we believe it is better to focus on initiatives that give welfare recipients a hand-up through a broad range of support services addressing health and education, and by helping to create jobs and assist people learn new skills." Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Tony Reidy said the cashless card was like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. "There's no evidence that these cards work," Mr Reidy said. "The idea itself is discriminatory and ill-founded. Administratively it's very costly and complicated, and does nothing to address the root causes of poverty and disadvantage."
BRADDON Liberal MHR Brett Whiteley has suggested using the North-West as a trial site for the federal government's controversial cashless welfare card scheme.
The so-called Healthy Welfare Card, which is aimed to prohibit welfare money from being used on gambling, drugs and alcohol, will be trialled at the end of the year.
Mr Whiteley said he would support the initiative being rolled out in his own electorate.
"I have no hesitation in putting the North-West forward as a trial site," he said.
"The government has a responsibility to support vulnerable people, but that support is not unconditional.
"The vast majority of people on welfare benefits do the right thing, but there are many that don't.
"Taxpayers don't mind helping those that need help, but they shouldn't be out there working their backsides off to pay for someone's drug and alcohol habit."
Mr Whiteley said the cards could have an impact on reducing domestic violence.
A state government spokesman said there had been no formal discussions with the Commonwealth about any trials.
"Overcoming welfare dependency, particularly when it is inter-generational, is a very complex and difficult issue," the spokesman said.
"The Tasmanian government does not believe there is a single solution to reversing welfare dependency.
"Instead we believe it is better to focus on initiatives that give welfare recipients a hand-up through a broad range of support services addressing health and education, and by helping to create jobs and assist people learn new skills."
Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Tony Reidy said the cashless card was like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.
"There's no evidence that these cards work," Mr Reidy said.
"The idea itself is discriminatory and ill-founded. Administratively it's very costly and complicated, and does nothing to address the root causes of poverty and disadvantage."
