Goldfields want Geraldton’s spurned cashless trial

Shire presidents in Laverton and Leonora have asked to be named as the third trial site for the cashless welfare card while welfare recipients in Geraldton continue to speak out against the proposed measure.

Geraldton is still being considered as a trial site for the card, which quarantines up to 80 per cent of a person’s welfare payments in a bid to curb spending on alcohol or gambling.

Trials in the East Kimberley town of Kununurra and Ceduna, South Australia, are currently under way.

In May, the Goldfields Shire representatives drafted a letter to the Federal Government requesting the card but said they were yet to receive an official response.

Laverton Shire president Patrick Hill said recent incidents in the town meant there was growing public support for a trial.

“Most of the feedback we’ve had from the community is that they’re for it and we’ve had quite a few people asking questions,” he said.

“It’s got its good points and we see it as a great opportunity to give it a trial as long as there are the appropriate follow-up support services that go with it.”

Public and political support for a Geraldton trial has waned in recent months with local Nationals candidate Paul Brown joining those already opposing the card.

Geraldton mother Sarah Parry has campaigned against the card since it was first proposed and said the “bandaid” measure would not solve complex issues of poverty and addiction.

Ms Parry, who is a full-time student and parenting payment recipient, said smaller towns such as Laverton and Leonora would be better suited to the trial.

“I don’t believe in the card but if those places genuinely want it and they have the community support then maybe that would be more appropriate,” she said.

“But if they keep pushing it here we’ll keep fighting because as far as I can tell no one wants it.”

Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said the Government would not be rushed into a decision on where the third trial site would be and could not confirm a timeline for any announcement.

“At this stage the Government has not made a decision about the location of the third trial site,” she said. “There would need to be further community consultation before any decision is taken.

“Wherever it may be, my expectation is that the Federal Government would commit wrap-around support services for those on the welfare debit card, like financial planning and drug and alcohol rehab services, like it has done with the other two trial sites.”