We have not received a response to the letter we sent to @Senator_Patrick requesting a meeting with us, @NATSILS_ and @NTCOSS.
Watch the debate and see how he votes here: aph.gov.au/Watch_Read_Lis…
Watch the debate and see how he votes here: aph.gov.au/Watch_Read_Lis…
https://twitter.com/AusUnemployment/status/1336435618721583105
Our members in Ceduna strongly oppose the #CashlessDebitCard + have campaigned against it for yrs. Reporting from @lukehgomes shows the card is causing harm in communities. @Senator_Patrick cannot in good conscience vote for this bill and should not blame Ceduna for his decision.
Ok, here we go
"Here we are again talking about a discriminatory, racist, punitive approach to income support in this country ... it is time to end this." – @SenatorSiewert #CashlessDebitCard
Senator Siewert is raging in the senate. Every senator should feel this strongly about what the government is trying to do with the #CashlessDebitCard
"The gov didn't even bother to ask First Nations communities whether they want the #CashlessDebitCard just like they didn't ask the NT whether they wanted the intervention" – @SenatorSiewert
@APONT_AGMP letter to crossbench sens: "We acknowledge the extreme pressure you are under, but you have our and our constituents support. Opposition to the #CashlessDebitCard has been clear since it was first proposed. We have been subject to these punitive measure for too long."
"90% of submissions to the senate inquiry were against the card ... but Generation One was cited 16 times in the report, more than all orgs from the NT" – @SenatorSiewert #CashlessDebitCard
"Researchers conducting the evaluation say there is little consensus ... no wonder the gov doesn't want to release [their $2m report]" – @SenatorSiewert #CashlessDebitCard
"Maybe if more MPs had lived experience of the social security system they would understand this #CashlessDebitCard is not the solution ... how it makes them feel like they are losing their dignity because someone else is controlling their money." – @SenatorSiewert chokes up
"Exits approved prior to this bill could be revoked" – @SenatorSiewert
This is absolutely shameful, it is so hard for people to get off the #CashlessDebitCard already, to put people through that again is cruel
This is absolutely shameful, it is so hard for people to get off the #CashlessDebitCard already, to put people through that again is cruel
"This bill will be responsible for introducing a two tier banking system that breaches the ATSIC act ... I'm calling out ATSIC and asking them to take action against the gov for sending out unsolicited cards" – @SenatorSiewert
"People cannot pay their rent. She had to get Indue to pay it. They said they had but they had not. She was trying to do good financial management but now if she tries to exit the card she will be blamed and will not be approved." – @SenatorSiewert #CashlessDebitCard
"Does it allow people to pay with dignity ... without begging to pay their bills. There is no dignity." – @Malarndirri19 #CashlessDebitCard
"The #CashlessDebitCard is so discriminatory and so racist." – @Malarndirri19
"Why is it that First Nations People always have to feel grateful for receiving what is a basic right for other people in the country." – @Malarndirri19 #CashlessDebitCard
"On what grounds, on what basis [are they introducing the #CashlessDebitCard]? There has not even been an evaluation of the Basics Card in the NT since 2014, and even that evaluation proved that [income management] was not working." – @Malarndirri19
"Even if you like the #CashlessDebitCard ... I ask [crossbench sens] to consider this: don't reward a gov that is lazy, inefficient and abrograting the responsibility of this senate to have the information it needs to make wise + just decisions on behalf of all." – @Malarndirri19
"It is not our place to fix your mess. I say to the crossbenchers: This legislation is wrong. It is unjust, it is racist... vote NO." – @Malarndirri19 #CashlessDebitCard
"All this legislation does is push people further and further into the ground." – @Malarndirri19 #CashlessDebitCard
"The concerns we've been flagging since the gov rolled out the card have been realised. It targets the most vulnerable and isolated communities. Put simply, it doesn't work." – @SenKatyG #CashlessDebitCard
"There's just no evidence that compulsory broad based income mgmt works...there's actually evidence of significant harm. This legislation is racially discriminatory. More than two thirds of ppl who will face #CashlessDebitCard restrictions are First Nations ppl." – @SenKatyG
"The gov is determined to roll this out across the country in spite of the evidence to millions of people on social security. Make no mistake." – @SenKatyG #CashlessDebitCard
"Too many ppl who this bill will effect were experiencing long term disadvantage ... yet this bill does not provide support." – @SenKatyG #CashlessDebitCard
"13 yrs of compulsory income mgmt produced a very large amount of evidence that it has had almost no positive impact ... this is supported by the recent study in Ceduna." – @SenKatyG #CashlessDebitCard
"God help us if you actually listen, ask and work with communities about how to support them." – @SenKatyG #CashlessDebitCard
"I urge the crossbench. Do not be bullied into voting for this bill. Don't help [the gov]. They don't deserve it and the communities they impose it on don't deserve it eiether." – @SenKatyG #CashlessDebitCard
"This [is a] degrading, colonial bill. The sovereign people of this country are going to be put back on rations. It's shame. Let's tell the truth." YES @lidia__thorpe ✊🖤💛❤️
"What a joke. If the minister cared for our people they would be bending over backwards to fund Aboriginal community-controlled organisations. Our people know what we need. They are blocking our path to self-determination." – @lidia__thorpe #CashlessDebitCard
"Since our people are not property developers or miners this gov gives us nothing." – @lidia__thorpe #CashlessDebitCard
"What we needed protection from was colonisation. Our ppl were subject to total control of mvmt ... our wages were stolen, wages taken, property seized. They paid us for our labour w foods ... that are still killing our people." – @lidia__thorpe #CashlessDebitCard
If you didn't get to see @lidia__thorpe in the senate on #CashlessDebitCard go back + watch the whole defiant, heroic speech. It was absolute 🔥🔥🔥
You can find it here and use the controls to skip to 10:57 to start: parlview.aph.gov.au/mediaPlayer.ph…
You can find it here and use the controls to skip to 10:57 to start: parlview.aph.gov.au/mediaPlayer.ph…
"We are deadly. That's why they try to control us. The resilience of our people is stronger than anything you have witnessed. You didn't wipe us out even though that was the agenda and we will continue to resist." – @lidia__thorpe #CashlessDebitCard
"I ask the government: rather than pursuing ideological policy that's not based in evidence, partner w First Nations people ... make a genuine attempt to partner with them and listen to them." @Louise_Pratt #CashlessDebitCard
"We shouldn't be saying the gov knows better. 87% of participants reported they did not have a problem w alcohol ... I suggest if you were to take a sample of us senators I suspect we would spend more on alcohol." – @Louise_Pratt #CashlessDebitCard
"In remote WA communities if you want to buy furniture, you'll be trading 2nd hand in a cash economy. So how is it that you support your family. What's the point of micromanaging finances of ppl who simply don't have enough to live on anyway?" – @Louise_Pratt #CashlessDebitCard
"We know that we need to empower communities and individuals, but this is not what the card does." – @Louise_Pratt #CashlessDebitCard
"My home state of Qld was one of those test sites. @QCOSS_ conducted surveys in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay and contrary to the gov's claim that the program had support 81% of ppl opposed the card." – @larissawaters #CashlessDebitCard
"My card's declined at supermarkets ... I've been publicly shamed and I can't shop at roadside stalls. My kids have missed out on tuckshop." – @larissawaters #CashlessDebitCard
"It does nothing to help people actually get a job." – @larissawaters #CashlessDebitCard
WHICH THE GOV CLAIMS IS THEIR PRIORITY FOR PEOPLE ON WELFARE
WHICH THE GOV CLAIMS IS THEIR PRIORITY FOR PEOPLE ON WELFARE
"Surely a better way to reduce hardship, support budgeting strategies and return dignity is to raise JobSeeker above the poverty line for all." – @larissawaters #CashlessDebitCard
"Most of the people on this card are single mums. The reward they get is an inadequate amount of income support and a taking away of their dignity and ability to make decisions." – @larissawaters #CashlessDebitCard
"This card is punitive. It's ineffective. It's discriminatory. It's paternalistic. It's racist." – @larissawaters #CashlessDebitCard
“If you go on welfare you lose your rights.”
Even for @PaulineHansonOz this is absolutely unbelievable. #CashlessDebitCard
Even for @PaulineHansonOz this is absolutely unbelievable. #CashlessDebitCard
"It causes stigma, shame and frustration." – @MehreenFaruqi #CashlessDebitCard
"You should all know exactly what you are being asked to vote on in the words of the most important ppl, those who have been harmed: 'I know myself it was targeted to Aboriginal ppl. In my point of view it was racial discrimination.'" – @MehreenFaruqi #CashlessDebitCard
"The trial was one of the lowest points in my life. The fear of being forced onto it again has destroyed my mental health. It will be a constant reminder that I am unable to gain employment because of my disabilities, which I was born with." – @MehreenFaruqi #CashlessDebitCard
From a constituent of @MehreenFaruqi: "The thought of being put on the Indue card horrifies me and fills me with anger. This card forces suffering. To support it requires either extreme ignorance or malice. Please show the public that you are better than that." #CashlessDebitCard
"Many members of the community in Bundaberg + Hervey Bay campaigned against this card by they are not being listened to. You're not giving them a jobs program. Unemployment is through the roof. They don't want income mgmt, they want jobs." – @nitagreenqld #CashlessDebitCard
"It is hard to step up and step out of poverty when you are treated like dirt by this government." – @nitagreenqld #CashlessDebitCard
"I'm asking the crossbench, particularly @JacquiLambie and @Senator_Patrick, to not let this government get away with making people feel like this. There's no evidence, they haven't even read the report. Let them wear it." – @nitagreenqld #CashlessDebitCard
Debate on the #CashlessDebitCard is suspended until this evening. We'll be back with more then. Apparently 10 more senators to speak ...
Ok folks. We're back. Saddle up. Let's hope we and everyone else who has worked so tirelessly have done enough to succeed with #RejectCDCRex
We are very disappointed that @GlennSterle spent his time in speaking to the #CashlessDebitCard against the ALP's position. Particularly galling as @Malarndirri19 was sitting behind him in the chamber having to listen to the words that supported paternalistic policies.
"It is hard to escape the conclusion that in the absence of evidence that this actually works, that the gov's determination to push on with #CashlessDebitCard is ideologically driven. There is no evidence to support what the government is doing." – @MurrayWatt #RejectCDCRex
"#CashlessDebitCard users say they can no longer buy second hand goods, school uniforms, can't put money aside for bigger expenses ... bc the government is controlling how they can spend their money." – @MurrayWatt #RejectCDCRex
Starts by saying he is an engineer and so assesses the #CashlessDebitCard based on whether it works. And that there is no dataset to show whether it achieves its objectives. – @Senator_Patrick #RejectCDCRex
"Every senator in this chamber is working on anecdote." – @Senator_Patrick #CashlessDebitCard #RejectCDCRex
@Senator_Patrick has thanked @Malarndirri19 for inviting him to the NT to speak with Elders and communities ... and @Anne_Ruston who "facilitated meetings with the some Aboriginal people and businesses" #CashlessDebitCard #RejectCDCRex
He says it's hard to work out what the card contributes to the purported effects by the government. @Senator_Patrick #CashlessDebitCard #RejectCDCRex
When I balance everything I've seen the data is not there that the card achieves what it is intended!!!! – @Senator_Patrick #CashlessDebitCard #RejectCDCRex
Now @JacquiLambie is up!
I have to be brutally honest when I first came out swinging for the #CashlessDebitCard I was thinking about when I was on welfare. – @JacquiLambie is choking up ❤️❤️❤️
"I'd do anything to stop the absolute tragedy and heartbreak of losing someone you love to an addiction. That's why I was so hopeful this card could help. It gave me hope things could change." – @JacquiLambie #CashlessDebitCard
"I said to the gov if you're going to let this happen it can't be the only thing you do. It's not a magic wand. The problems you see at the trial sites take a lot more to fix." – @JacquiLambie #CashlessDebitCard
You need to watch @JacquiLambie's speech in full. #CashlessDebitCard. Skip ahead to ~20:40 here: aph.gov.au/Watch_Read_Lis…
"You've had the stick out for so long now. As hard as this is for me, because you didn't put the effort in over there, it's just not worth it any more and you didn't deliver." – @JacquiLambie #CashlessDebitCard
We're very sorry @AnthonyChisholm but we can't concentrate, we're on the edge of our seat waiting for @Stirling_G's speech on the #CashlessDebitCard so we can finally kill this bill!!!
The government is now moving amendments that would make the #CashlessDebitCard voluntary for people in the NT and Cape York, but they will be stuck on Basics Card if they don't transfer. #SayNoStirling @Stirling_G
@SenatorWong says Labor will NOT support this amendment #CashlessDebitCard
Now @JacquiLambie with a question: When does the Basics Card end?
@Anne_Ruston: It is an ongoing measure
@Anne_Ruston: It is an ongoing measure
NO NEED TO BE SO CONDESCENDING TOWARDS @JacquiLambie JUST COS YOU DON'T LIKE HER QUESTION @Anne_Ruston #CashlessDebitCard
"Centre Alliance did not turn up for the vote and to those listening – I know there's many of them – we could've finished up 5 mins ago." you must watch @SenatorSiewert in the senate right now
In the chamber someone calls out "coward" when @SenatorSiewert references the disgusting (and cowardly!) decision of @Stirling_G not to turn up in the chamber. #SayNoStirling
This is a sham process. The government yet again seeks to force through legislation without any proper process. And @Stirling_G is complicit. #CashlessDebitCard #SayNoStirling
"We don't have that kind of strong data" – what @Anne_Ruston means is that they don't have the data that says what they WANT it to #CashlessDebitCard
"If things were working in the community it wasn't because of the damn card it was because of the community ... You put them on that Basics Card and you forgot them and this is the same pattern of behaviour." – @JacquiLambie on #CashlessDebitCard
Who are the organisations in the NT you have spoken to about this sudden amendment? – @Malarndirri19 gets silence from the government on this crucial question. And then it's taken on notice. What an absolute fucking joke. A shitshow. #CashlessDebitCard
"We have been working on your legislation since it came through the senate. You must have spoken to those organisations in the last hour? Two hours? Surely you would know who you've spoken to." – @Malarndirri19 #CashlessDebitCard
@JacquiLambie: It's not true, it was discussed last night with Centre Alliance. Just over 24 hours ago. #CashlessDebitCard
"Have you had legal advice – when this is taken to court, which no doubt it will be – that this is discriminatory?" – @JacquiLambie provides @Anne_Ruston the perfect opportunity to mislead the parliament. #CashlessDebitCard
"There are a range of reasons why people go onto income management and it's not race specific"
@Anne_Ruston ignores the fact that the gov has explicitly targeted communities with Indigenous populations as high as 81% (most over 70%) compared to ~3% in the wider community
@Anne_Ruston ignores the fact that the gov has explicitly targeted communities with Indigenous populations as high as 81% (most over 70%) compared to ~3% in the wider community
Now @Anne_Ruston is victim blaming and suggesting that people in Ceduna did this to themselves. #CashlessDebitCard
oh goodie can't wait to hear what @PaulineHansonOz has to say
"Why isn't this racist?" – pretty straightfuckingforward question from absolute legend @lidia__thorpe #CashlessDebitCard
"For the Aboriginal people watching across this country, they want to know, why is this not racist? Can you please answer, please?" @lidia__thorpe #CashlessDebitCard
"Oh @JacquiLambie I'd be more than happy to give certain people special individual assistance if you just tell us who they are" – paraphrasing @Anne_Ruston #CashlessDebitCard
Is @JacquiLambie asking the government for an amendment to ensure veterans are not subjected to the #CashlessDebitCard???
THE MINISTER HAS THE GALL TO SUGGEST THAT THIS IS VIA CONSULTATION HAVING INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT WITHIN THE LAST 3 HOURS #CashlessDebitCard
"Is government policy extension of the trial sites ... or is it a broader rollout?" – @SenatorWong #CashlessDebitCard
"What are you going to do with the evaluation that just cost the nation $2.5 million?" – @SenatorSiewert #CashlessDebitCard
@Anne_Ruston suggesting she doesn't have the evaluation she recently admitted she hasn't read (implying she has it???)
@Anne_Ruston suggesting she doesn't have the evaluation she recently admitted she hasn't read (implying she has it???)
"Was the information reported in the Guardian by @lukehgomes yesterday that showed people do not want the card to continue correct?" – @SenatorSiewert
@Anne_Ruston squibs #CashlessDebitCard
@Anne_Ruston squibs #CashlessDebitCard
So if the special exemption for laws that prevent unsolicited debit cards being sent to people is supposed to go on forever ... what are the legal implications of that? #CashlessDebitCard
Does it not put the government in a difficult legal situation if they have to offer families the card because they don't have a letterbox? Do you have legal advice about that? – @Malarndirri19 #CashlessDebitCard
According to @Anne_Ruston at the moment Indue is the only issuer of the #CashlessDebitCard, but the banks have put in "an enormous amount of investment" to develop the technology".
This is a clear sign that the government will roll this card out to all welfare recipients.
This is a clear sign that the government will roll this card out to all welfare recipients.
"It's an absolute disgrace on the part of Centre Alliance to have not had the courage of their conviction if this is what they believed to address this senate and particularly to explain to the people of the NT." – @Malarndirri19 #CashlessDebitCard
"This is a complete betrayal of the people of the NT by CA. People may say that's politics. But what it really says is how desperate the government is to keep this card. Like the cowards that you are you've scurried off and made the deals." – @Malarndirri19 #CashlessDebitCard
It's midnight now. That's it for the #CashlessDebitCard debate, which will now be gagged.
Division now for the gov amendment to make the transition from Basics Card to #CashlessDebitCard voluntary (rather than compulsory as originally proposed)
The outcome of the vote on the amendment is that people in the Northern Territory will not be forced on to the #CashlessDebitCard, but will be forced to remain on the Basics Card if they "choose" not to transition to CDC.
The amendment to sunset the current iteration (which has been ongoing now since 2016) of the #CashlessDebitCard "TRIAL" in December 2022 has passed.
Division in progress for the amended bill. This is horrendous.
It passed. The fight to kill income mgmt isn't over. It's racist, punitive, paternalistic + breaches human rights.
We won't let anyone forget what @MakeMayoMatter + @Stirling_G did today. Good luck convincing ur constituents this was the right thing to do at the next election.
We won't let anyone forget what @MakeMayoMatter + @Stirling_G did today. Good luck convincing ur constituents this was the right thing to do at the next election.
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