Andrew Forrest Report bold, ambitious, says Tony Abbott

THE Abbott government is unlikely to adopt the most severe parts of the welfare blueprint of mining magnate Andrew Forrest.

THE Abbott government is unlikely to adopt the most severe parts of the welfare blueprint of mining magnate Andrew Forrest, who has raised the prospect of welfare recipients being forced into a cashless world.

Tony Abbott said Mr Forrest’s report to the government, which he will launch in Sydney’s west today, was “bold, ambitious and brave” but warned that the ­proposals would stretch public ­approval.

Politicians from both sides and state and federal levels were positive about Mr Forrest’s work on indigenous training but pointed to existing schemes and the danger of going too far in income management. The Prime Minister said Mr Forrest’s recommendations were in a report to government, not a report by government, and the government would decide which to implement.

“It is a very bold and ambitious report,” he said.

“I suspect that some of the things in the report will be testing for public opinion as it currently stands.

“Some of the things in the report will run well ahead of any plans that the government currently has, but it is a bold, ambitious and brave report.”

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Mr Abbott also said some of the suggestions about welfare income management were already in place.

“The Howard government introduced income management in remote indigenous communities back in 2007,” he said.

“The former Labor government extended income management to long-term unemployment beneficiaries throughout the Northern Territory.

“So income management — welfare quarantining if you like — is not a new thing. It’s been around for quite a few years now.

“Let’s have the debate about the various recommendations that the report makes and then the government will be in a position to decide which of its recommendations should be proceeded with.”

Labor’s indigenous affairs spokesman, Shayne Neumann, said Labor supported income management for some dysfunctional families but denying people any cash went too far.

“We support income management but there is only a very small number of people who need income management,” Mr Neumann said. “We support both voluntary and mandatory income management. But I think there is a bit of dignity in allowing an individual to have cash in a free and free enterprise society.”

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said some of Mr Forrest’s recommendations reflected directions his Liberal National Party government was already taking.

“In particular, we are focused on providing greater autonomy and responsibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and understand how important it is to give remote indigenous people the opportunity to own a home,” Mr Newman said.

“We also understand how vital the link is between education and employment, and are working hard to improve student attendance and outcomes in indigenous communities.

“I certainly welcome the release of Mr Forrest’s report and the Queensland government will give careful consideration to the ideas he is proposing.”