[Greens-Media] Income Management anniversary an expensive reminder of unfair, failed policies

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

21 June 2013

Income Management anniversary an expensive reminder of unfair, failed policies

The Australian Greens said today that six years after the announcement of income management, the expensive and unfair regime continues to stigmatise people, rather than help them.

On the 21 June 2007, the legislation, part of the Howard Government's NT Intervention, was announced by then Minister Mal Brough.

"Six years on from the introduction of income management legislation, it is clear that the regime has been expensive and ineffective," Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"Income management started in the NT, but as a result of the actions of this Labor Government and their Stronger Futures policy, it has been expanded across the whole of the Territory and to sites across the country.

"The millions of dollars spent on income management, both in the NT and at trial sites, would have delivered far better outcomes for people had it been used to provide them with actual support and assistance, rather than just punishing them.

"People affected by income management consistently speak about being stigmatised, ashamed and embarrassed. Hurting people in this way is never acceptable, but it is sadly typical of the top-down approach taken by the old parties.

"Only the Greens have consistently opposed this scheme and continue to hold the old parties to account for their out-dated and punishment based vision of supporting vulnerable people," Senator Siewert concluded.