Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm very proud to be seconding this bill and protecting pensioners from the cashless debit card, because this bill will finally end the Morrison government's cruel, heartless and failed cashless debit card. It will end it for those currently on the card, and it will stop the Liberals and Nationals from rolling it out across the country to others on income support payments and to those on the age pension. We, in Labor, stand by those on those trial sites who have currently been forced on to the card, and we will keep fighting to stop the Morrison government from forcing more people onto it.

We know it's the Morrison government's plan to expand it, because they have listed the age pension in the legislation and they keep on talking about making it universal. The minister responsible, Senator Ruston, said that the card should have a more universal platform. The Prime Minister himself said the card is 'commending itself for wider application'. The communications minister said, 'Our Liberal-National government is committed to the cashless debit card.' And the member for Hinkler said, 'I think it's now time to take the evidence on board and roll it out across the country.'

Well, we don't agree with you. In contrast, we've made it very clear that, if elected, Labor will scrap this card, because it does not work and it imposes harsh measures on the thousands who've been forced onto it against their will. But we know that, if the Morrison government get their way, they will expand it out across the country. We already know there are 14 age pensioners who've been forced onto it, bringing the total number of age pensioners to 20. This is a card where 80 per cent of your income is controlled by the government. They get to choose where and when you spend your money. And, of course, in their ongoing outsourcing of welfare, they have this scheme run by a private company, Indue—no accountability, no transparency. We also know the Morrison government is working with the banks. They've got a technology working group specifically designed to roll out the cashless debit card.

So many people have contacted us detailing how being forced onto this card has impacted their lives. The usage of the card is very restricted. The card is often declined. People can't buy food or basic groceries. They can't pay their rent. They're forced into bankruptcy. They can't make car repayments. They can't buy second-hand clothes because they can't access cash to buy them. It is absolutely devastating. Many people have had their dignity taken away, like Bianca, who has to wear plus-sized bras. She can only afford to buy this specific bra on eBay, which is a blocked merchant under this scheme. Indue insisted that she first send a photo of the bra, then get permission to buy it and then show proof of purchase. That is appalling. And Jocelyn, who is 65 years old and on a disability pension, was forced onto the cashless welfare card just because of where she lives.

I'd like to acknowledge all those individuals and groups across the country who have been fighting against this card for years. We are with you. We are with you in fighting the Morrison government's plan to expand the card. We know they want to expand it to age pensioners, who can then say goodbye to cheap food and drinks at their local club, having cash to give the grandkids, being able to access cash to go to the local op shop or garage sale. That's what they're going to take from our age pensioners, the people who built this nation. This is insulting, it's demeaning and it is downright wrong.

This is why this bill must be supported. If the Liberals and Nationals refuse to vote on this bill in parliament, then we'll fight this issue every day up until the next election. The choice is very clear. The Liberals and Nationals want to expand the cashless debit card, and Labor is committed to scrapping it once and for all. We're committed to that because Labor is on your side. We will stand up and fight for you every day. I commend the bill to the House.

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