Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This morning, in this chamber, the government repealed the cashless debit card. With the support of some on the crossbench, Labor has recklessly walked away from communities in Ceduna, the East Kimberley, the Goldfields, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. What the Labor Party has done is unleash a tsunami of alcohol and drugs into vulnerable communities, and we know what the consequence will be. It will be an increase in violence and antisocial behaviour. More domestic violence and more neglected children will be the outcome of what the Labor Party did today, and it's a disgrace.

The cashless debit card is working, and if you don't believe me, listen to some of the stories from these communities. A community paramedic in Ceduna said, 'Since the CDC, we've definitely seen a decline in domestic violence, alcohol consumption and the number of people presenting to the ED.' A community elder in Ceduna said, 'Our people are coming home in boxes due to alcohol and drugs. We go on the CDC to support our people.' A Hope Community Services worker in Kalgoorlie said, 'Kids are no longer going hungry—they are at school with lunches and school uniforms.' Those opposite are unleashing domestic violence and neglect of children, and it's a disgrace.