Canterbury-Bankstown welfare recipients to be randomly tested for ice, ecstasy and marijuana
UPDATE: A move to drug test welfare recipients in the Canterbury-Bankstown area was a ‘desperate attack’ on western Sydney and will see an increase in crime, opponents said today.
NSW
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A MOVE to drug test welfare recipients in the Canterbury-Bankstown area was a ‘desperate attack’ on western Sydney, Federal Labor MP Linda Burney claimed today.
“(The) drug testing announcement a desperate attack from a desperate government on western Sydney” the Shadow Minister for Human Services tweeted this morning. “Experts oppose it and it’s never worked”
Meanwhile, Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said there was no evidence the tests would lead to a reduction in drug use.
@cporterwa drug testing announcement a desperate attack from a desperate govt on western Sydney. Experts oppose it and it's never worked
— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) August 21, 2017
“On the contrary, it’s likely to lead to an increase in crime, an increase in inequality and further harsh treatment of welfare recipients,” he told ABC radio today.
“The government should be looking at things which work, not simply punitive measures, because that’s actually all this is.”
The Daily Telegraph revealed today about 1750 recipients of Newstart and Youth allowances will be tested for ice, ecstasy and marijuana use over the next two years in the Canterbury-Bankstown region.
Social Services Minister Christian Porter told The Daily Telegraph the move was not about stigmatising people, but stopping a “cycle of welfare dependency”.
In addition to Canterbury-Bankstown the government is expected to announce two other trial sites by the end of the year.
“This trial is focused entirely on helping job seekers overcome drug problems and to receive the help they need to get on a path towards securing a job and building a better future for themselves and their families,” Mr Porter said.
“We want to help people in this situation … failure to do so simply leaves people at risk of a cycle of welfare dependency.”
The government’s sweeping welfare reforms are yet to be debated in Parliament, with Victoria already indicating it will not co-operate with drug testing. If it passes, drug testing will begin in January.
Up to 5000 welfare recipients will be tested. Those who test positive will still receive cheques, but 80 per cent of the payment will be quarantined for essentials such as rent, childcare and food. There will also be $10 million allocated to help people kick the drug habit.
Human Services Minister Alan Tudge said drug users were breaking the law and making it harder for themselves to escape welfare.
“So many jobs require regular drug testing today,” he said.
“Unemployed people eliminate themselves from eligibility for these jobs if they are addicted.
“Australians are generous; they are happy to help people who are down on their luck with welfare payments, but they do not work hard and pay their taxes to support other people’s drug habits.”
There are 11,765 people on Newstart and Youth allowances across the Bankstown-Canterbury area, with more than 5600 added in the last year.
The region has a high rate of ice-related hospitalisations — 12.1 per cent of those across the state.
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