[Greens-Media] Direct debit welfare is not the answer

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Direct debit welfare is not the answer

"Compulsory direct debiting of welfare payments is paternalistic and
wrong-headed," said Australian Greens community services spokesperson
Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"It is in direct contradiction with the Government's recent rhetoric
that it wants to empower those on welfare to find meaningful employment
and take change of their own financial independence."

"The Minister is demonising those on welfare to distract from the fact
that so many are living in poverty and suffering disadvantage in these
economic 'good times' because government policies have failed them,"
said Senator Siewert.

"This strategy attacks the symptoms of poverty when the Minister should
really be doing more to address the root causes." 

"This sets up an appalling situation where some bureaucrat will be
making decisions about what people can and can't buy," she said.

Welfare groups have rightly rejected the proposal on as simplistic and
impractical.


For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au
http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA


Monday 1 May 2006