Welfare drug-testing is common sense

Australians understand that everyone deserves a fair go. But we also understand that everyone has to have a go too. Especially those who rely on taxpayer funds to get by, writes Peta Credlin.

It’s the sign of a civilised country that we help people down on their luck.

But their part in the bargain is that they spend the money on essentials like food, shelter and looking after any children, as well as look for work. Money for nothing corrodes the social compact between taxpayers and those who receive their support.

Twice under Bill Shorten’s leadership, Labor rejected the Coalition’s plan to trial the drug-testing of people on Newstart benefits.

Statistically, we know that people who are unemployed are three times more likely to be using methamphetamine, with other drugs like marijuana also relevant.

On Monday, when parliament resumes, the Morrison government will have another go at drug-testing welfare recipients, with two-year trials proposed.

RELATED: PM resurrects plan to drug test Newstart or Youth Allowance recipients

It’s not much to ask is it that people on welfare benefits be sufficiently “with it” to seek work and take a job if one’s offered. People failing the drug test won’t lose benefits; they’ll just have most of their money quarantined, so it’s only spent on the necessities of life and, on a second failure, be referred to drug treatment and rehabilitation services.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government is set to have another go at drug-testing welfare recipients, with two-year trials proposed. Picture: AAP/Bianca De Marchi

Almost immediately the accusations started to fly that this was just the government punishing people on the dole. But hang on, it’s only a trial that won’t be extended unless it works. And don’t taxpayers deserve to know their money isn’t being shot into a someone’s vein when there’s a child in the family who doesn’t have enough to eat?

RELATED: Welfare drug test laws back in parliament

Government money is taxpayer’s money and there’s always pressure about where it is spent. This is of course where the critics miss the point. Every dollar spent on welfare is a dollar that’s not spent on a school, a hospital or a lifesaving drug. It’s money we can’t spend on more roads, building dams, or defence personnel. Or, less money that government takes from workers in tax in the first place.

What governments spend must be well-spent and if it’s meant to feed, clothe and shelter, then that’s what must happen.

Australians understand that everyone deserves a fair go. But we also understand that everyone has to “have a go” too. After all, the only reason we can be generous to those who are down on their luck is that other members of the community go to work each day and pay tax to contribute to the social fabric of our nation. As they pull their weight to provide help, so must those who receive it.

Originally published as Welfare drug-testing is common sense