The Morrison Government's plan to expand the cashless debit card across Australia

Linda Burney addresses the Federation Chamber - Monday, 21 June 2021

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The cashless debit card the minister has referred to is something that we understand very well. It insinuates that Australians looking for work have chosen unemployment.

The news is in: the cashless debit card has not changed behaviour in the trial sites.

Labor will fight the cashless debit card every chance we get. We don't think quarantining 80 per cent of a social security payment and having, in some cases, the capacity for 100 per cent is right.

My second question to the government: is why won't the government come clean about its secret plan to roll out the cashless debit card nationally?

It is perfectly obvious that there is a working group with the big banks and the payment systems. Why does that exist if there is not going to be an expansion?

LINDA BURNEY

SPEECH - MONDAY, 21 JUNE 2021