Family violence danger of abolishing CDC: Coalition

The government’s move to push through its abolition of the cashless debit card will put vulnerable communities at risk of greater childhood neglect and family violence, the federal opposition warns.

Shadow social services minister Michael Sukkar on SNY NEWS.

Abolishing the cashless debit card in vulnerable communities will see alcohol and drugs pour in and result in greater childhood neglect and family violence, the federal opposition warns.

And stumping up an additional $50m for drug and alcohol programs in its place simply acknowledges new problems will inevitably emerge in those communities, shadow social services minister Michael Sukkar said.

“The Albanese government has finally conceded abolishing the CDC will lead to more alcohol, drug abuse, childhood neglect and violence in vulnerable communities,” Mr Sukkar told The Australian.

“(And) the announcement of $50m for alcohol and drug treatment services is an admission by the government that its plan to abolish the CDC will see a tsunami of alcohol and drugs pour into at-risk communities.”

The government put legislation to parliament in July to wind up the CDC, which it labelled a “failed program” despite it continuing to be supported by some sectors of affected communities. The bill passed the lower house but was referred to a Senate committee.

The government on Monday will introduce key amendments including $50m in additional funding for alcohol and drug treatment programs and $17m for employment and business schemes to support CDC sites around the country as they move away from the current system.

Those sites are in Ceduna in South Australia, the East Kimberley and Goldfields regions in WA, and the Bundaberg/Hervey Bay region in Queensland.

The amended laws will also offer the 17,300 existing CDC participants in those areas and the Northern Territory the opportunity to continue to quarantine 50 per cent of income in a new “enhanced income management system”. Previously, those in the CDC program saw 80 per cent of income quarantined in accounts that can’t be used to buy alcohol or gambling products, some gift cards or to withdraw cash.