Jenny Macklin
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In a major revamp, Families Minister Jenny Macklin would be able to declare any locality as an area of extreme disadvantage under new laws that will open up welfare recipients to compulsory income management, Catholic welfare bodies caution.
Under the changes, to apply from July next year, welfare recipients in designated areas face having half their payments quarantined for food, rent and other essential items. Lump sum payments such as the baby bonus can be 100 percent quarantined, The Australian reports.
Initially the government will roll out the scheme across the Northern Territory. Ms Macklin said she would decide after the scheme had been properly evaluated in 2011-12 whether to extend it to other areas. She was quoted saying the changes aimed to ensure welfare payments were spent responsibly.
Welfare organisations were wary.
"The people we assist are struggling on inadequate levels of Centrelink benefits. We are deeply disappointed to see that instead of addressing this problem the Government has chosen to subject welfare recipients to further measures of control," said Syd Tutton, the National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society, in a press statement.
"This does nothing for people's dignity. Neither does it address any of the problems some might be having in their lives."
According to Dr John Falzon, the organisation's National Council Chief Executive Officer: "We fail to be convinced by the highly questionable evidence that is being presented as a justification for this poorly targeted policy. It is sad to see a government that claims to be committed to a path of social inclusion indulging in such a coercive and controlling approach rather than honestly looking at the supports that people need, starting with a review of inadequate payments."
Catholic Social Services Australia said that while it welcomed the re-instatement of the Racial Discrimination Act, it was against applying untried policies across the population, particularly in the absence of programs and services that are known to be effective.
"At the heart of many disadvantaged locations is a complex range of issues including alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, child neglect and abuse, mental health issues, and other chronic health conditions," said CSSA Executive Director, Frank Quinlan.
"Helping people move beyond disadvantage requires a balance between incentives and support," he said in a statement.
FULL STORY AND MEDIA STATEMENTS
Jenny Macklin spells out welfare changes (The Australian)
Govt ramps up discrimination withnew welfare laws (St Vincent de Paul Society)
CSSA Cautions Against New Quarantining Arrangements (Catholic Social Services Australia)
OTHER STORIES
Welfare plan to be tested on Territorians (ABC)
Plans to extend income management in Northern Territory (News.com.au/AAP)
Welfare control goes country-wide (Sydney Morning Herald)