Drug testing of welfare recipients still on Turnbull’s agenda

MALCOLM Turnbull is adamant a trial to drug test welfare recipients will go ahead. It comes as data shows addicts wiping themselves out are developing shocking medical conditions that entitle them to the disability support pension, which is then used to fund their habits.

ADDICTS wiping themselves out are developing shocking medical conditions that entitle them to the disability support pension, which is perversely being used to fund their drug and alcohol abuse.

Shocking data revealed today comes as Malcolm Turnbull has exclusively told The Courier-Mail there would be fresh legislation to trial drug testing for welfare recipients, and new crossbench senators would be targeted to ensure its passage. Drug testing remained in last week’s Midyear Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the trial “will absolutely” go ahead. Picture: AAP/Brendan Esposito

It comes as government statistics reveal 1383 jobless Australians receive the taxpayer-funded DSP because their sole medication condition is either their drug or alcohol dependence.

About 1500 DSP recipients have a primary psychiatric or psychological — such as toxic brain injuries — caused by abusing substances.

And almost 27,000 people on the DSP have a number of medical conditions, including alcohol and drug-related medical conditions.

The DSP pays almost $900 a fortnight, which is more than Newstart, and it is almost certain the cycle of abuse is being funded by taxpayers.

The Turnbull Government wanted to trial drug testing for some welfare recipients but was blocked by the Senate. In the last week of sittings, the Government removed the drug testing component from a large welfare reform bill in a bid to get a majority of its measures passed.

Asked whether he would forge ahead with the trial, Mr Turnbull told The Courier-Mail: “It sure will, it absolutely will.

“It’s a whole new crossbench, you’ve got to recognise too. There are six of the crossbench who joined the Parliament after the 2016 election who have been replaced.

“It’s not a complete new Senate in 2018 but there’s a lot of changes.

“So we are now going to have to get to know some new people.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said the Government was committed to tackling issues that may contribute to welfare dependency. Picture: Gary Ramage

“We’ve got a huge amount through the Senate because we treat every Senator with respect.

“We all voted for the Liberal ticket but they are electioned and that’s fine and we do treat them with respect and do our best to get our program through.”

Former social services minister Christian Porter told The Courier-Mail the Government “remained absolutely committed to the policy approach of trying new and innovative ideas to help people overcome welfare dependency and tackle issues that may be contributing to welfare dependency”.

“We have been willing to try new things on the basis that more of the same is not the answer to moving more people from welfare to work.

“People receiving welfare who are affected by drugs are failing to focus on securing work and so the drug testing measure was carefully designed to ensure it had that focus — getting people the help they need to overcome their drug issues.

“We will not give up on trying new things to break cycles of welfare dependency and continue our success in moving people from welfare to work.

“During debate on the Welfare Reform Bill it was clear that there was not enough crossbench support in the Senate for the drug testing measure and so that was withdrawn from the Bill.

“But I will continue to negotiate with all parties, in particular crossbench senators, to secure sufficient support and this measure will be pursued again early next year.”

The trial is popular with most voters, and Logan, south of Brisbane, will become the biggest drug testing hotspot. The Mayor of Logan Luke Smith has warned of a dramatic spike in crime if the testing scheme was adopted as planned.

Under the plan, about 2500 new Newstart and Youth Allowance recipients were to be tested in suburbs throughout Logan over two years, and those who failed their test would lose control of their welfare payment.

Those who continually test positive for drugs will have to pay for their own tests. Those who refuse follow-up tests within 25 days will have their dole suspended.

Those who test positive for ice, ecstasy or marijuana will have to undergo another test within a month, 80 per cent of their welfare will be quarantined, meaning they will have only about $100 a fortnight in discretional spending. They will also be referred to medical experts to help them beat their addiction.