Andrew Hastie (Canning, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The drug testing will identify those people who need help, and the treatment fund—

Honourable members interjecting—

Here he is, Deputy Speaker: the member for Swan, who's been a great advocate for Sideffect. I've just been talking about the great work they do in Western Australia, and I'm looking forward to the Byford and Mandurah Sideffect forums for parents and students.

But, as I was saying, the drug testing will identify those people who need help, and the treatment fund will make sure that those people have the resources they need to get drug free and job ready. No-one will lose their welfare out of this program. No-one will be worse off if they do the right thing. But, if you refuse to take a drug test, you'll find yourself in trouble. That's no different to many jobs. Many Canning workers, especially the FIFO workers, take regular drug tests for their jobs. Why should it be any different for welfare recipients? This is a very reasonable expectation, especially as many Australians support jobseekers on welfare through their taxes. I remember, when overseas on operations, having to take drug tests, and it was no problem for me. The City of Mandurah have opposed this drug-testing trial. They drug test their employees. If the standard's good enough for people across society, I don't see why we shouldn't proceed with this drug-testing trial.

In summary, Labor's opposition and the Greens' opposition are purely political. I look forward to this legislation passing the House and the Senate and to change happening in my community, because, at the end of the day, that's all that matters: people getting off drugs, getting off alcohol, being restored and then being sent into the workforce so that they can make a meaningful contribution as Australian citizens in their community.

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