The scrapping of the controversial cashless welfare debit card is one step closer, but many are up in arms calling the move ‘terrible’.

The card, which was introduced into certain communities by the Coalition government in 2016 and prevented up to 80 per cent of welfare money from being spent on alcohol and gambling, has seen legislation to scrap it passed in the Lower House and will now go to the Senate.

2GB radio breakfast host Ben Fordham blasted the federal government’s move to scrap the cashless welfare card on Wednesday, saying ‘kids are going to go hungry’ and it is all because the government listened to the wrong people.

Ben Fordham (pictured) has slammed the government's decision to get rid of the cashless welfare card. The 2GB host said 'kids are going to go hungry' if the card is scrapped

Ben Fordham (pictured) has slammed the government's decision to get rid of the cashless welfare card. The 2GB host said 'kids are going to go hungry' if the card is scrapped

Ben Fordham (pictured) has slammed the government’s decision to get rid of the cashless welfare card. The 2GB host said ‘kids are going to go hungry’ if the card is scrapped

‘This one is a shocker. Once it is gone all together more kids are going to go hungry that’s the bottom line,’ he said.

‘Actions have consequences and the consequences of this action are horrendous.

‘More money will be spent on alcohol, more money will be spent on drugs, more money will be spent on cigarettes and more money will be spent on gambling.’

The 2GB host said more importantly it is the kids who will suffer from the government’s move. 

 ‘Kids will go hungry. They will miss out on fruit and vegetables and on breakfast cereal, and school lunches and warm dinners,’ he said.

‘Because some people just cannot help themselves. They are so unwell, so sick with addiction issues they have no control. That’s why we brought in the cashless welfare card.

‘It was introduced to help people, to help people spend 80 per cent on essential items, to help people look after their children and give them things they need.

‘The card is about to vanish and it is all because the prime minister isn’t prepared to follow through with a bit of tough love.’   

The card, which was introduced into certain communities by the Coalition government in 2016 and prevented up to 80 per cent of welfare money from being spent on alcohol and gambling, has seen legislation to scrap it passed in the Lower House and will now go to the Senates

The card, which was introduced into certain communities by the Coalition government in 2016 and prevented up to 80 per cent of welfare money from being spent on alcohol and gambling, has seen legislation to scrap it passed in the Lower House and will now go to the Senates

The card, which was introduced into certain communities by the Coalition government in 2016 and prevented up to 80 per cent of welfare money from being spent on alcohol and gambling, has seen legislation to scrap it passed in the Lower House and will now go to the Senates

The cashless debit card scheme has been controversial since being introduced as critics say it unfairly targets First Nations communities and stigmatises users.

The Labor government has been highly critical of the scheme, with Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth saying it has been ineffective.

‘The former Coalition government imposed the cashless debit card as a magic fix-all to complex and social problems experienced in some of our most vulnerable populations,’ she said.

Ben Fordham said the government had listened to the wrong people, namely Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe who just ‘thinks that everything is racist’.  

 ‘Lidia Thorpe said the card is racist. Well Lidia Thorpe thinks that everything is racist,’ he said.

 ‘She thinks that the police are racist, she thinks the defence force is racist, she thinks parliament house is racist, she thinks Australia is racist, she thinks the Australian anthem is racist, she thinks the flag is racist.

‘Racism, racism, racism, Lydia Thorpe always plays the race card and she did with this.’

If the card is to be abolished, anyone who wants to remain involved voluntarily will be transferred to the BasicsCard.

The BasicsCard, was introduced in 2007 under the Northern Territory Intervention policy.

It was a voluntary program and quarantines 50 per cent of an individual’s income, to similarly make sure they spend money on essentials.

Much like the welfare debit card it aims to minimise harm in regional and rural communities stemming from addiction, such as gambling and alcohol.

Last week the Prime Minister defended his government’s decision to ditch the card, saying it will empower communities where it had been rolled out.

Despite criticism from the opposition, Mr Albanese said there was a mandate for the scheme’s removal.

‘We had a welfare system that was paying a private company to engage in activity with for-profit motive, which was resulting in… issues being imposed on communities,’ he told parliament.

He added that it was important for people to have control over their money.

‘One of things we have done is to make sure we’re about empowering communities, not taking power away from them.’

BEN FORDHAM SLAMS ANTHONY ALBANESE’S DECISION TO REMOVE THE CASHLESS WELFARE CARD 

By 2GB radio host Ben Fordham  

Actions have consequences.

And the Labor Party has just made a terrible decision in Federal Parliament.

Don’t get me wrong.

Anthony Albanese has had plenty of ‘wins’ since taking over.

He’s done well on the international stage.

He’s just struck a deal with the Greens on his emissions reduction policy.

And he’s enjoying his honeymoon period.

But this one is a shocker.

Yesterday in Parliament – the cashless welfare card was officially scrapped.

The legislation to get rid of it – has passed the Lower House and now goes to the Senate.

And once it’s gone altogether, more kids will go hungry.

Actions have consequences.

And the consequences of this action are horrendous.

More money will be spent on alcohol.

More money will be spent on drugs.

More money will be spent on cigarettes.

More money will be spent on gambling.

Kids will go hungry.

They’ll miss out on fruit and vegetables.

Breakfast cereal, school lunches, and warm dinners.

Some people just cannot help themselves.

They’re so unwell, so sick with addiction issues, and they have no control.

That’s why we brought in the cashless welfare card.

It was brought in to help people.

To help people spend 80% of their welfare money on essential items.

To help people – to look after their children and give them the things they need.

To help people – to limit the amount of money they’re spending on things that are going to cause harm to their family.

I’ve had a frightening email from a lady who spends a lot of time in the Northern Territory.

Caroline says…

“Alice Springs is in crisis.

“I am shocked at the state of the town.

‘I am shocked at the state of the town.

“Assaults in the city are up 13%

“Domestic violence is up 15%

“Motor vehicle thefts have increased by 37%

“And these spikes have occurred BEFORE the Northern Territory recently removed the ban on alcohol.

“They need help.”

Well Caroline – they’ll need even more help when this card is taken away.

And yesterday’s development in the House of Representatives – set the wheels in motion.

It’s about to vanish.

Because the PM doesn’t believe in ‘tough love.’

It’s going to be carnage.

Not for the average family using the card.

But for the kids in the most desperate situations – it’s going to be carnage.

Have a listen to the politicians and community leaders on the front line.

South Australian Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey says:

“The card helps protect families from violence.

“Every day it helps feed and clothe children.”

Rick Wilson from WA says:

“The decision to scrap the card will unleash a tsunami of alcohol and drug-fueled trauma on my community.”

Queensland Nationals MP Keith Pitt says:

“A school principal tells me after the introduction of the card – the number of kids they had to feed before school halved…

Children started coming to school with lunch and families were paying their rent.”

The PM wants indigenous Australians to have a “Voice” to Parliament.

But he’s not listening to them.

Listen to Noel Pearson, Jacinta Price, and Warren Mundine.

And think of the poor children who don’t have a voice.

When you take this card away, it’s the kids who will suffer the most.

And the sales of cigarettes, drugs and booze will go up.

Sometimes, PM, you have to help those – who don’t have the power to help themselves!

 

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Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk

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