INCOME MANAGEMENT

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, questions regarding the government's position on income management.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: The NPY Women's Council has recently raised concerns with Jonathan Nicholls of thePaper Trackerabout recent comments in the media regarding income management of those in remote communities. The women's council is concerned that income management, when completely compulsory, unfairly affects those who are responsible. It is also concerned that management services are not extended to those who are not on government benefits. The women's council wants stakeholders and the government to consider other methods of income management, such as voluntary management and services to those on salaries as well as benefits. My questions are:

1. What is the government's position on compulsory income management?

2. Given that the welfare of the state's Indigenous population should be of concern to the government, is it providing advice to the federal government regarding its administration of welfare and its appropriate distribution?

3. Will the government consider voluntary income management and the offering of income management services to those on non-government salaries?

4. What is the government doing to prevent welfare incomes being spent on harmful or non-essential goods, such as alcohol?

5. As I have previously asked, will the government commit to implementing an incentive-based welfare program, such as the link to school attendance introduced in Queensland?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I undertake to take that question to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation in the other place and bring back a response.