With the support of key independent senator Jacqui Lambie, the cashless welfare card is a step closer to national promotion. A few hours after Prime Minister Morrison told the media that he wanted to implement a nationwide cashless welfare card, Lambie’s support allowed the government’s expanded pilot policy to be passed in the Senate. This welfare card is part of Morrison’s “conservative sympathy” welfare position, which allows 80% of benefits not to be used for alcohol, drugs or gambling.
This policy and the proposal to conduct drug testing for welfare will be called the main issue after the resumption of parliament on Monday. She said she will review the first-hand results of some pilot areas next year to decide whether to support the promotion to the country. Two National Party senators and conservative independent Senator Cory Bernardi are expected to support the cashless welfare card. The Labour Party and the Central Alliance do not rule out support for this policy, but are concerned about the inclusion of welfare recipients in the Northern Territory and Cape York.