Plans to drug test welfare recipients in Canterbury Bankstown slammed
The Federal Government’s plans to reintroduce controversial legislation to drug test welfare recipients in Canterbury Bankstown have been slammed by mayor Khal Asfour.
The Express
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Canterbury Bankstown’s Labor mayor Khal Asfour is furious the Federal Government is proposing to drug test Centrelink recipients in Canterbury Bankstown, saying it grossly unfair to pick on the community for what is a national problem.
Councillor Asfour said that if the government was serious about getting people off drugs, they would invest in rehabilitation facilities — there are currently none in Canterbury Bankstown — and also create job opportunities for these people.
The Federal Government has announced legislation to allow testing will be introduced to parliament two years after they dumped the proposal due to a lack of support.
“Quite frankly, I’m upset with how the Federal Government continues to pick on the community of Canterbury-Bankstown,” Cr Asfour said.
“The reality of it is, illicit drug use is a national problem, it is not just pertaining to Canterbury-Bankstown, Logan, or any one area.
“It’s a joke to think that getting Newstart or youth allowance recipients off drugs by testing them and then quarantining their payments is going to work.”
In addition to Canterbury Bankstown, the government plans to trial drug testing in Logan (Queensland) and Mandurah (Perth).
‘CLEAR ATTACK ON OUR COMMUNITY’
Canterbury state Labor MP Sophie Cotsis said “this is a clear attack on our community” with the government targeting locals without understanding the real issues.
“We need additional medical services, not less, we need funding for rehabilitation support services, youth mental health, drug and alcohol support services, a co-ordinated holistic approach to help our most vulnerable community members,” Ms Cotsis said.
Independent Tasmania senator Jacqui Lambie, who had previously said she would support the proposal, has backtracked. She is now demanding drug rehabilitation services for Centrelink recipients and drug testing for politicians before she will back the bill.
The government is planning to spend $6 million on rehabilitation for individuals, while $3 million would go on drug treatment capacity in trial locations and $1 million on “case management services”.
Federal Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said people on welfare who took drugs were denying themselves the best opportunity to get a job.
“This trial will assess the use of drug testing as a means of identifying job seekers with substance abuse issues that may be preventing them from finding a job, and support them to address these barriers,” Ms Ruston said.
IN OTHER NEWS
The plan would restrict how welfare recipients could spend payments for up to two years. A second drug test would be scheduled within 25 working days of a positive result.
If that test also came back positive, the recipient would be referred to a medical professional to identify treatment options.
“Taxpayers expect the government to ensure their money is being spent responsibly and that welfare recipients are using it to put food on the table, send the kids to schools and pay the bills,” Ms Rushton said.
“This measure is not about punishing people, it is about identifying people who need our help.”
COMMUNITY REACTION
Reaction from Canterbury Bankstown locals has been mixed.
On The Express’s Facebook page, Rebekah Courtsidas Rousianos was supportive, saying those who tested positive to drugs should have their payments taken away: “There are people who genuinely need assistance and there are too many out there abusing the system, and getting away with it!”
Sam however, said it was a bad idea because “people will get money one way or another”.
“I would rather not come home from work to my place broken in to as they need money,” he said.
Bradsivz Kwilliams wanted drug testing extended to others: “Let’s get all educators, emergency service officers, politicians and court judges to get it done too. If welfare recipients have to do it in order to get taxpayers money then it is only fair we drug test each departments and any personnel who gets paid by taxpayers.”
Mohamad Zahabpraised Senator Jacqui Lambie saying: “If u are going to drug test those that get public money then also the political parties have to be tested.”