St Vincent de Paul Society ABN: 68 879 107 149 Unit 4-5 22 Thesiger Court Deakin ACT 2600 PO Box 243 Deakin West ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6202 1200 Facsimile: (02) 6285 0159
Media Release
22 June 2010
For Immediate Release
“Basic Rights not BasicsCard” - St Vincent de Paul Society Both Government and Opposition have been criticized by the St Vincent de Paul Society today as Welfare legislation was passed by the Senate to allow the blanket imposition of compulsory income management. “In passing this degrading legislation the Parliament has turned its back on the fundamental human rights of low-income Australians,” said National Council Chief Executive, Dr John Falzon. “It is extremely disappointing to see political points being scored on the backs of people who are doing it tough.” Courageous evidence had been provided to the Senate Inquiry by such people as Elaine Peckham, an Aboriginal Woman from Alice Springs, who told the Inquiry: “We would like to see our basic rights given back – not the BasicsCard.” “We have always accepted the usefulness of voluntary income management as a helpful tool when freely chosen and when supported with other resources. But to impose it on a compulsory basis translates into an offensive presumption of guilt and incapacity on the part of people who are already doing it tough,” said Dr Falzon. “This Bill is a cynical manouevre to get around the Racial Discrimination Act.” “As with its imposition on Aboriginal People on the basis of race it will now be imposed on the basis of class. In both forms it constitutes an invasion of private lives, a denial of dignity, and a removal of self-determination.” “It is inconceivable to us that a Government that has committed itself to a social inclusion agenda can act in such a disrespectful manner to people who are unemployed or who are struggling on a low income to raise a young family,” said National President Mr Syd Tutton. “At $4,400 a year per person, the administrative cost of compulsory income management would have been better spent on actually increasing the incomes of these people who are doing it tough.” “This policy worsens the social and financial divide in Australia. You can’t build a strong economy on the back of a fractured society.” Contact: Dr John Falzon 0421332247