Ceduna violence crisis ‘being fuelled by scrapping of cashless debit card’, critics claim

Remote communities across the country, including in South Australia, have been left “in crisis” after the scrapping of a controversial welfare payment scheme, critics claim.

Remote communities across the country, including in South Australia, have been left “in crisis” after the scrapping of a controversial welfare payment scheme, critics claim.

Local residents and community leaders have reported rising levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in – and around – Ceduna, on the Far West coast.

New evidence emerged after more than two dozen graphic videos were left unchecked on social media for weeks despite recording public brawls, school fights, and violent attacks at sports games for weeks.

As the harrowing Instagram videos were taken down, community leaders, residents and business owners on Tuesday revealed concerns over the federal Labor government scrapping the “cashless debit card”.

Ministers, however, said anti-social behaviour, particularly youth disorder, was a problem in many places across Australia as they dismissed concerns about the card.

Authorities noted “many other towns” that were never part of the program were experiencing similar issues including Port Lincoln.

The Liberal Coalition government introduced the “cashless debit card” in 2016 to tackle crime, anti-­social incidents and other dysfunctional behaviour in, and around, Ceduna.

Labor abolished the card as a priority after it was elected in 2022, arguing it was patronising, stigmatising and unfairly targeted the Indigenous community.

Fights were aired on Instagram and left unchecked for weeks.

Brawls erupted at many locations including sports games. The videos have now been taken down from social media after The Advertiser’s inquiries.

Figures show more than 1000 people on the card in Ceduna when it was abolished.

Indigenous Liberal senator Kerrynne Liddle, the federal opposition child protection and prevention of family violence spokeswoman, said Ceduna was among several remote communities “in crisis” after the debit scheme was scrapped.

These included alcohol problems, social unrest, family and domestic violence and

rising, leaving areas unsafe and locals “in the crossfire”.

“The Albanese Government’s over-promising and underdelivering and lack of

courage is there for all to see – in Ceduna, Kalgoorlie, Bundaberg, Alice

Springs and in the Kimberley,” she said.

The Federal Liberal member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, said had received “numerous pleas to my office from residents, councillors, tourists and businesses”.

He called on Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth to urgently visit Ceduna “unannounced” as more than 30 businesses have been left at “their wits end, concerned for the viability of the businesses, their workers’ safety and the security of residents in the town”.

“Their personal stories are in many cases sickening,” he said.

“Most... link the surging violence and anti-social behaviour to the removal of the Cashless Debit Card. They are desperate and need action now.”

Ms Rishworth said on Tuesday: “Many towns, particularly in regional and remote Australia are dealing with complex and intergenerational problems, where there is no one solution.

“To suggest young people behaving badly was somehow curbed by the cashless debit card is baseless.

“It’s important to note income management is still in existence in towns like Ceduna via the smartcard.”

Originally published as Ceduna violence crisis ‘being fuelled by scrapping of cashless debit card’, critics claim