Acwa Sceptical About Effectiveness Of Welfare Quarantining

MEDIA RELEASE
NOVEMBER 25, 2009

ACWA sceptical about effectiveness of welfare quarantining

The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies (ACWA) says welfare quarantining
cannot be viewed as a solution to protecting marginalised children, families and
individuals already entrenched in poverty.

ACWA CEO Andrew McCallum said he is not convinced that proposed new income
management measures unveiled today by Families Minister Jenny Macklin will assist those struggling to escape the cycle of welfare dependence.

Under the reforms, to be rolled out from July next year, welfare recipients could have up to half their payments quarantined for spending on essential items such as food, rent and clothing.

"Punitive-type schemes such as this certainly do not represent a solution to the
problem, and similar past programs have only proved effective when taken up
voluntarily," Mr McCallum said.

"Welfare quarantining is a pathway we need to be very wary about following, and I am concerned that there is not enough evidence at this stage to support its value as an effective measure.

"Until we understand the full ramifications of welfare quarantining, we need to remain cautious about its effectiveness on a grand scale."

In the meantime, Mr McCallum has welcomed today's announcement by the Federal
Government that it will reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) in the Northern Territory in 2010.

The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies is the New South Wales peak
body representing non-government organisations providing services to
vulnerable children, young people and their families. The organisation has
been operating for more than 50 years and is supported by over 100 member agencies.

MEDIA CONTACTS
For interviews please contact:
Andrew McCallum
CEO, ACWA
Mob: 0409 221 414
E: [email protected]

For all other media enquiries please contact:
Libby McCalman
Communications Officer, ACWA
Mob: 0418 659 525
E: [email protected]

SOURCE: Association of Children's Welfare Agencies