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Mandatory income management spreads to WA communities by Callum Dixon
nganyaywana
The Commonwealth government has expanded the controversial Basics Cards income management scheme to several First Nations communities in Western Australia. From April 15 the scheme will spread to Laverton and the Ngaanyatjarraku region. The rollout will include both voluntary and mandatory income management programs. Centrelink social workers and child protection agencies will be able to refer people to the mandatory program, with 70% of their income being quarantined. Those who volunteer will have 50% set aside.
Nyoongar activist and social justice campaigner Rex Bellotti says the introduction of Basics Cards into First Nations communities in Western Australia will “impede our basics rights“. IMAGE SUPPLIED
The scheme had already been introduced to areas of South Australia Compulsory income management (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara has been implemented in the Northern lands & Playford), New South Wales Territory since the beginning of the (Bankstown), Victoria (Shepparton) Intervention in 2007. and Queensland (Rockhampton & Nyoongar activist and social Logan City). justice campaigner Rex Bellotti says Founder of the First Nations the introduction of Basics Cards political party Maurie Japarta into First Nations communities in Ryan believes mandatory income Western Australia will “impede our management is violating the rights of basics rights”. Aboriginal people. “Would Gillard or Abbott like these “They’re [government] is playing sorts of restrictions imposed on them? the race card, they play it all the time,” I call it what it is. It’s genocide. Tell said Mr Ryan, a prominent critic of Jenny Macklin to start closing down the NT Intervention. “The two major some of the pubs and clubs that are political parties [ALP & LNP] have selling all of the alcohol. You can’t created policies of genocide from day even go to Coles or Woolworths one. Australia is supposed to be a without seeing a Liquorland.” signatory to [international covenants Mr Bellotti predicted government on] eliminating racism, but it’s would continue to expand the creating racism.” program because “they think they Mr Ryan said the Basics Cards know what’s best for us”. April 12, 2013
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scheme has been “one of the most damaging policies [affecting First Nations people] that’s come out”. “Policies are what is killing our people.” Alice Springs based activist and community leader Barbara Shaw questioned what the Australian government was actually trying to achieve by introducing such programs. “What they’re doing is creating more of a problem,” said Ms Shaw. “A lot of funds have been put into income management when it should have been redirected into proper social services to help Aboriginal people tackle and work on solutions for their own people. Income management is supposed to stop all of the anti-social behaviour and provide a better life for our people.” Ms Shaw labelled Basics Cards a “waste of time and money”. NEWS
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RYAN: government is playing the race card, they play it all the time Alice Springs based activist Barbara Shaw questioned what the Australian government was actually trying to achieve by introducing such programs. IMAGE: Rhonda Hagan
Founder of the First Nations political party Maurie Japarta Ryan believes mandatory income management is violating the rights of Aboriginal people. IMAGE: Rhonda Hagan
SHAW: Basics Cards are a waste of time and money
April 12, 2013
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