House debates

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Questions without Notice

Indigenous Affairs

2:43 pm

Photo of Jenny MacklinJenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Disability Reform) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Kennedy for his question about a very important matter, and yes, I am aware of the issues that he has raised. This is a very serious matter and one that I know the member for Kennedy feels very strongly about, as I do. There is horrific damage being done in Indigenous communities as a result of alcohol abuse—

Comments

David Collins
Posted on 14 Mar 2013 10:45 pm

Yes, yet you knowingly provide them with the resourse that buys the alcohol, that being the dole, in the form of cash, for which they get to spend at their discretion.

If you quarantined the dole, so that it couldn't be wasted on gambling, grog and cigs, many children would be far better off and less children and wives/partners would be bashed

We provide, and you support the payment of this dole, knowing full well the recipients have little, if any, intention of finding or keeping a job, then you knowingly allow this valuable resorse, provided for the well being of the families to be wasted, as the easiest option is to keep throwing money at the problem.

When are our duly elected leaders going to do something that is effective, rather than just have yet another enquirery into the matter.