Cashless Debit Card

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (15:02): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding income management.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.R. HOOD: The District Council of Ceduna at its ordinary council meeting on 15 May 2024 passed a motion that read as follows:

That the District Council of Ceduna advocates for mandatory Income Management for vulnerable and at risk persons.

This follows the previous month's council meeting carrying a motion acknowledging correspondence from businesses and residents expressing concerns over escalating levels of antisocial behaviour in the CBD and adjacent areas.

The minister, in previous answers during question time, said that Liberal members were misrepresenting the situation in Ceduna and suggested that many locals disagree that changes to the cashless debit card program have led to an increase in crime. My questions to the Aboriginal affairs minister are:

1. Does the minister support the motion passed by the District Council of Ceduna on 15 May, and will he join with them in advocating for changes to mandatory income management for vulnerable persons in Ceduna?

2. Given the minister's previous comments, what does he have to say to Ceduna residents, councillors and business owners who believe changes to the cashless debit card have in fact led to increased crime in their town?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:03): I thank the honourable member for his question. I haven't seen the motion the honourable member refers to. I'm happy to have a read of it. I'm not aware of evidence that has been tested and provides a direct link between the issues of income management and other issues in Ceduna. I know that from October 2022 participants in the cashless debit card in Ceduna were able to consider being—and I understand some have been—placed on voluntary income management.

I have outlined to this chamber before a great range of programs and responses that are being undertaken, including some of those in terms of alcohol restrictions, that are occurring in Ceduna. I know that changes in response to circumstances are requested by the local community. Certainly, though, I know, having spent some time on the Far West Coast, including Ceduna, earlier this year, that there are Aboriginal leaders who have been particularly distressed at some of the misrepresentations that they feel have been made of some of the community in relation to things that have gone on in Ceduna, that they feel are for political purposes from others.