Thread by @gdevera

I will be tweeting the @AuSenate hearing into the Cashless Debit Card Bill today for @PWDAustralia at 9AM AEDT.

If you're tuning in and want to #StopTheCDC, let me know!

@AuSenate @PWDAustralia If you're wanting to watch the hearing, and be part of the Twitter conversation, you can watch it here: aph.gov.au/news_and_event…

Please let me know if you are tweeting and want to #StopTheCDC!

@PWDAustralia The #StopTheCDC hearing has began and the Chair of the Committee, Sen. Wendy Askew is now making opening remarks. Opening statements from witnesses from Profs Jon Altman, Tony Dreise Dr Janet Hunt and Dr Francis Markham.

@PWDAustralia Altman reminds the Committee in his opening statement that there is a fundamental inconsistency between what the Productivity Commission recommended, and and "far reaching Bill" currently being considered by the Committee #StopTheCDC @aimnau

@PWDAustralia @aimnau Altman says he is concerned that the rollout of the Cashless Debit Card, because it "lacks nuanced debate", is politically charged, and has too many vested interests. Altman is concerned that this rolling out the CDC will lead to a #RoboDebt like fiasco #StopTheCDC @ACOSS

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS Prof. Dreise, a proud Indigenous man and from the ANU Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, reminds the Committee of @ScottMorrisonMP's words that he committed to involving #FirstNations people in the policies and laws that effects them #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP Dreise says there is no positive benefit on First Nations people, and the Bll is an affront to thee commitment of working WITH #FirstNations people and evidence-based policy #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP APO NT is now speaking and making an opening statement. They become that compulsory incomement management has been a vehicle for discrimination against #FirstNations people. It's paternalistic, and will not deliver for #FirstNation people in the NT #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP APO NT again reminds the commitment for shared decision making that @ScottMorrisonMP agreed to with the peaks, and is concerned how it will entrench the status quo #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP APO NT reiterates the rushed nature of the Bill & lack of consultation with affected communities. It is a direct affront to the self-determination of #FirstNations people. The the Bill will undermine @ScottMorrisonMP's commitment to #ClosingTheGap #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP APO NT says compulsory income managment has been in placed in the NT for 13 years, and there has been no benefit to #FirstNations people #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP Sen McCarthy has now asked Prof. Altman to elaborate his comments regarding the Productivity Commission's recommendations. Altman clarifies that the PC called for the role for clear evaluation of #FirstNations policy, and for evidence-based policy should be replicated #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP Altman reinterate CDC has not been properly evaluated and the evidence for it does not exist. On this basis, it goes against the PC's recommendations. Prof. Dreise also says that there isn't a culture of evaluation, with PMC people terrible at evaluation #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP Altman also reaffirms that #FirstNations voices and perspectives MUST be at the centre in policy decision-making on policies that affect them. The CDC is contrary to this #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP Sen McCarthy asked about Adelaide University evaluation. Prof. Dreise replies/clarifies that the PC's recommendations called for affected communities to be active participants in evaluations and not mere objects. The Adelaide University evaluation did not achieve this #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP Sen McCarthy is now asking about the role of ASIC and whether it's illegal for unsolicitied debit cards to be issued. Witnesses can't provide legal evidence but Altman questions whether a required "no action" letter was issued by ASIC. to extend the trial #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP Sen McCarthy asks what advice APO NT would give to the Committee. CEO John Paterson has just joined and is answering the question. He states this provides a strong opportunity to establish effective engagement to address a whole range of systematic issues #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP Paterson says #FirstNations people want to not rely on income support and to be employed. The Aboriginal peaks have been "so creative", and there has been no committment to genuine engagement. They want this - so why can't we give it to them? #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP @SenatorSiewert asks if the CDC is supported by NT #FirstNations people. Paterson simply says they don't want it. He urges the Committee to consider how CDC funding can be redirected toward housing, health and education, that isn't being invested in #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP @SenatorSiewert @SenatorSiewert asks why the CDC is going forward, if there is no evidence for it to proceed? Altman clarifies says this is a difficult question, and that income management was one of many suggested measures. He also states that $1B+ in CDC has had no material benefit #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP @SenatorSiewert Prof Markham says that pursuing the CDC demonstrates a lack of commitment to structural changes, despite the lack of evidence and evaluation. That's why the Bill is being put forward by the Govt #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP @SenatorSiewert Paterson from APO NT focuses again on how social programs can lift #FirstNations people to have the capacity to lead and work with their communities. This is the spirit of #ClosingTheGap agreement, connecting to his earlier point that CDC will undermine the agreement #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP @SenatorSiewert @SenatorSiewert asks Paterson if he says the CDC has being ideologically driven. He says absolutely yes! #FirstNations people "see no light" for the Bill, and in fact makes things worse!!! #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP @SenatorSiewert @Senator_Patrick now asks about the difference between the CDC and the Basic Card. Prof Hunt says they're very similiar, and all differences are on the margin. They are essentially the same product #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP @SenatorSiewert @Senator_Patrick @Senator_Patrick asks what negatives the CDC have. Prof Hunt says one of the negatives is that the Basics card prevent tobacco purchases, and the CDC card doesn't, raising health issues. Otherwise, they are the same.

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @ScottMorrisonMP @SenatorSiewert @Senator_Patrick @Senator_Patrick asks if there is an intl comparison to the CDC. Altman has taken this question on notice, but highlights similar American programs that he highlighted in a submission he made in 2007.

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS New witnesses are now joining us from the Salvation Army (Stuart Foster and Jennifer Kirkaldy), Amanda Smith from The Say NO Seven Community and Kathryn Wilkes from No Cashless Welfare Debit Card Australia. They're making opening statements #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS Salvation Army's opening statement wasn't very clear - poor audio. Say No Seven says the roll-out to date has concealed vital policy information on the effectiveness of the CDC. They say the Bill "legislates segregation", and is based on assumptions, not evidence #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS Say No Seven says that deaths have followed the introduction of CDC. They say they have notified Govt about these deaths since 2017. The CDC legislates "social apartheid", with "debilitating and life altering impacts" #StopTheCDC.

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS Say No Seven says there is nothing that can't be achieved through an opt-in program! Compulsory management has shown disrespect to the people that card affects the most, and it is an unequivocal "social harm" #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS Say No Seven call and question why there has been no oversight of the program, and highlight that not one person on the card is giving evidence to the Committee today #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS No Cashless Welfare Debit Card Australia evidence is focusing on the impacts on those on the card. There are mental health impacts, domestic violence impacts, financial inclusion impacts as well as people attempting to claim their lives. The card perpetuates stigma! #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS No Cashless Welfare Debit Card Australia says the card embeds expectations that those on the card are "dole buldgers" and have substance issues. They're also reporting financial abuse and theft in Hinkler, that is not being prosecuted because of Indue #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS No Cashless Welfare Debit Card Australia: "it's nothing but the commodification of those on income support" #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert asks about theft of money in Hinkler that No Cashless Welfare Debit Card Australia reports. It's clarified that it happened because Indue did a transfer, told the victim who they were transferring the money to, but Indue won't disclose account details #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @SenatorSiewert asks if a different financial institution administered the card would change things? No Cashless Welfare Debit Card Australia says no. "The privatisation of income support" removes key legal protections that citizens can expect from a govt service #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert Say No Seven drives the point that the Bill will legislate segregation. They make the point that pink batts, #RoboDebt shocked the nation, but the CDC doesn't because of the racist misalignment of #FirstNations people, who are most effected by the program @StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert No Cashless Welfare Debit Card Australia & Salvation Army clarifies that NOONE is AWARE of ANYONE on CDC has been CONSULTED! This is just shocking but utterly unsurprising. Those on the CDC don't even know they can exit the program, or that it may become permanent! #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @Malarndirri19 asks about "life altering harm". No Cashless Welfare Debit Card Australia describes the shift from an autonomy to a bundle of ill health and stress because they can't meet basic costs. Stressed induced heart attacks, severe mental ill health. Shocking! #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @Malarndirri19 No Cashless Welfare Debit Card describing how the loss of autonomy, legal capacity, and decision-making has life long impacts: "you don't recover". Suicides are being recounted again with a mother of 6, who feared being sent back to a trial zone, taking her life #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @Malarndirri19 This evidence is really distressing. We just heard about a women, a survivor of sexual violence and who continued to suffer from the effects of complex trauma, who were subserviant to a corporation to make basic life decisions every day #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @Malarndirri19 Salvation Army clearly state that passing the Bill before the Parliament will mean that the lived experience of being on the CDC will be SILENCED, even more than it already is. This is really reminding me of #RoboDebt. Won't this Government learn?! #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @Malarndirri19 Next round of witnesses are up: Robyn Nolan from National Council of Women Australia, Maxine Mcleod, Tammy Willams from Tracey Paterson from Family Responsibilities, and Prue Briggs from Cape York Institute. They're now making opening statements.

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @Malarndirri19 National Council of Women Australia are supporting the Bill, and is talking about how the card gives families the opportunity to "put food on the table" #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @Malarndirri19 Family Responsibilities welcome the Bill and support the removal of trial parameters #StopTheCDC. They say it brings program certainty, and would also welcome the removal of an expiration.

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @Malarndirri19 Family Responsibilities also states compulsory income management ensures that the income support system is "fit for purpose". I'm not sure what they think the income support system is for. I hope this gets questioned #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @Malarndirri19 Family Responsibilities finally support the amendment to allow aged recipients to access the CDC. They think the CDC is an important self-empowerment tool #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @SenatorSiewert @Malarndirri19 Cape York Institute is now giving evidence. They also support the Bill, as they believe the CDC enables family responsibilities to be undertaken through purported financial aims of the CDC #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS Senator Lines is asking about June Oscar, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, comments on the CDC. Nolan says that National Council of Women disagree with Oscar's comments, despite the Council opposing the CDC as late as 2019 #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS National Council of Women are supporting the Bill on domestic violence grounds #StopTheBill

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @Malarndirri19 is asking how the Bill will support the #ClosingTheGap Agreement. Family Responsibilities Commission believe limits to income support as per the Bill is reasonable and proportionate, because basic needs like food, shelter etc, are being met apparently #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @Malarndirri19 @Malarndirri19 is asking if excising the Cape York in the legislation could be an option. Family Responsibilities Commisison has taken the question on notice.

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @Malarndirri19 Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC) clarifies that they are putting forward the FRC model. Cape York Institute says they are also in support of the work of FRC continuing #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @Malarndirri19 @Malarndirri19 is asking if the Govt has got it wrong, and that they should be rolling out the FRC model? Both Cape York Institute and FRC think the model up there works. Cape York states that opt-in has worked in Cape York #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @Malarndirri19 @SenatorSiewert asks if they are endorsing the card in other communities or just Cape York? Cape York Institute say they're making their comments in relation to Cape York only. FRC says their CDC comments is based on the FRC model being rolled out into FRC communities #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @Malarndirri19 @SenatorSiewert @SenatorSiewert asks FRC what investment they have made in their model. They took the question on notice, and referred the Committee to their previous submission.

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @Malarndirri19 @SenatorSiewert @SenatorSiewert asks how Nolan from the National Council of Women consulted? They held a roundtable, and involved 1:1 consultations that came through members of the council. They said there were several consultations in 2018 and 2019 #StopTheCDC

@PWDAustralia @aimnau @ACOSS @Malarndirri19 @SenatorSiewert @SenatorSiewert finds it incredible that National Council of Women does not find June Oscar's evidence is credible (thank you Senator!). Nolan says they have tried to meet Oscar. Siewert also asks how old their evidence was. Nolan says late 2019.

Sen Askew asks FRC how not passing the Bill wil impact FRC and National Council of Women. National Council said they would "have very serious concerns" (unsubstantiated) #StopTheCDC

@minderoo and Wunan Foundation are now appearing before the Committee. Shelly Cable and Bruce Mansfield from Minderoo, and Ian Trust and James Elliott from Wunan are giving evidence #StopTheCDC

@minderoo @minderoo is supporting the Bill unsurprisingly. They say is has multiple benefits. They also think the CDC is not perfect, but it's far superior techologically. However I dare others to try and find their technology report from a few years back online #StopTheCDC

@minderoo @minderoo are rejecting @SenatorSiewert's suggestion that there is no evidence for the CDC. Minderoo is relying on the heavily criticised ORIMA report, and the forthcoming Adelaide University evaluation. They rely and refer to anecdotal evidence #StopTheCDC

@minderoo @SenatorSiewert @SenatorSiewert then asks why they don't wait for the Adelaide evaluation to be released before they proceed. @minderoo hides behind the fact that they can't comment until the report is released, and that there is nothing wrong with them proceeding #StopTheCDC

@minderoo @SenatorSiewert Minderoo is now talking about the 2016 technology report. Again, I dare you to find a copy online. It's not online anymore. If anyone wants a copy of the technology report, DM me and I can email you my copy #StopTheCDC

@minderoo @SenatorSiewert @minderoo is saying there is heaps of tech benefits with the CDC over a Basics Card. This is contestable. What I'd add is that the Hayne Banking Royal Commission recommended a basic transaction account. So why don't banks create this instead of CDC? #StopTheCDC

@SenatorSiewert is now questioning wrap around services in Kununurra. and how a card will fix the social determinants of disadvantage. Wunan disagrees, relying on anecdotal evidence #StopTheCDC

@SenatorSiewert Senator Lines asks what evaluation reports @minderoo relies on. Minderoo again clarifies that they only rely on their anecdotal evidence, and the largely discredited ORIMA report. They are standing on shaky ground, especially without the Adelaide Uni report #StopTheCDC

@SenatorSiewert @minderoo Sen Lines asks if @minderoo supports a self-determination approach vis-a-vis the Cape York model. Minderoo is saying that their model was based on consultation, and Wunan confirms that the Kununurra region, that Minderoo services, were not effectively consulted #StopTheCDC

@SenatorSiewert @minderoo @minderoo tacitly support exit provisions for people with disability. Sen Lines is grilling Cable about whether people should be able to exit for other reasons. Cable hides behind the statement that those who don't need CDC won't be affected if they are on the card #StopTheCDC

@Senator_Patrick asks @minderoo when the banks will have a competitor to the Indue card. They say mid-2020. They are now discussing interest and account fees. Merchant fees are seprate. #StopTheCDC

@Senator_Patrick @minderoo They're now talking about transactions that are blocked on CDC vs a Basic Card. This is a technology question FYI @minderoo maintains that CDC will still be able to process most/all transactions. My, and other conversations with major banks tell me otherwise #StopTheCDC

@Senator_Patrick @minderoo @SenatorSiewert is talking about lost of dignity/autonomy. Feelings of shame are real. @minderoo has heard this & they have acted by changing the branding of the card. Siewert is driving the mental impact of being on CDC. Wunan says the Kununurra don't have that issue #StopTheCDC

@Senator_Patrick @minderoo @SenatorSiewert Wunan Foundation says that everyone in Kununurra knows who doesn't have a job, and who is on the card, and the issue is getting these people on the job. @SenatorSiewert clarifies that's not her point: you can't stop people feeling a lack of dignity if they feel that #StopTheCDC

@Senator_Patrick @minderoo @SenatorSiewert That concludes the #StopTheCDC hearing.

@PWDAustralia made a submission to this Inquiry. We're submission 31 and you can find it here: aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_…

@Senator_Patrick @minderoo @SenatorSiewert @PWDAustralia @PWDAustralia opposes the Bill from passing based on following impacts on people with #disability:
a) impose de facto/informal financial gaurdianship measures
b) not support legal capacity of PWD to manage their financial affairs
c) socially/financially exclude us

#StopTheCDC