The current trial debit card bill provides cashless welfare benefits to recipients. The rational and purpose of the bill aims at reducing the amount of money spent on alcohol , drugs and gambling. Originally , the bill targeted to address the issues that arose within the Aboriginal Torres Islander communities.
Are there any underlying disadvantages , this bill has towards the recipients and the general community as a whole?
What maybe the social justice issues that needs to be addressed from the bill?
If i was to submit a reform proposal to the commission, what recommendations could I come up with?
Tawanda
There are obvious social justice issues of relevance here, no the least of which are undermining self determination and autonomy. Paternalistic processes that are applied across communities reflect stereotypical assumptions that everyone should be controlled by the measures that have been put in place. Punitive approaches rarely work as effectively as processes that provide incentives.
Elise Klein wrote a useful critique in the Conversation recently.
https://theconversation.com/the-cashless-debit-card-causes-social-and-economic-harm-so-why-trial-it-again-74985
Given the trail is reported to be costing $10,000 to manage per participant this seems a very expensive process to consider expanding.
What about community development and capacity building, adequate resourcing in communities, engaging communities for community based solutions, ...
Regards, Dave
Thanks Dave. Just confirming, is the above cost figure you mentioned part of Elise's critique?
No, this issue has had considerable media coverage over the last few days - e.g.:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-02/cashless-welfare-trial-costing-taxpayers-$10k-per-participant/8488268
Thanks again.. I will take a look at the links straight away.
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