Opinions on the Basics Card?

Morning all smile

So I'm curious on what your opinions are on the Basics Card being implemented in some areas of Australia?
From what I understand Centrelink puts a % of your benefit on the card to be used for food, bills etc. The amount that was being reported was between 50% and 70% of the persons payment.

To me it sounds like a good idea as then money isn't misused.
But it's also taking away peoples rights as an adult to choose how they spend their money. I think maybe people who do the right thing with their benefit would be pretty annoyed being told where they can spend their payment as only certain stores accept the card.
But then I suppose if your getting a benefit you should be happy that it's their for the neccesity's (sp) in life and if you want to spend money on luxury items then you need to look at getting a job.

I'll be interested to read your opinions on this subject. smile

I think it's a great idea! Some people take advantage and it's very easy to do that here! It would hopefully make people that aren't trying, get out there and look for a job as then they will be able to afford what they want.

Honestly I don't really care that much what they spend their money on IF they are single. BUT if they are a family or have children then I think it would be a great idea. smile

I think it's a great idea. The Government is supplying these people with the money so it should be OK for them to determine that some of the money is spent appropriately. I know so many people who abuse the system and their payments. I also know some who do the right thing. But if they are spending the money on the right things then this card should not be a problem.

Nai&Beau wrote:
I think it's a great idea. The Government is supplying these people with the money so it should be OK for them to determine that some of the money is spent appropriately. I know so many people who abuse the system and their payments. I also know some who do the right thing. But if they are spending the money on the right things then this card should not be a problem.

That's what I was also meaning to say lol the people doing the right shouldn't be bothered by it cos they're already spending the money on these things smile

It's a good idea in theory but I dont know how it would go in prac. Depends on what shops they allow people do groceries as alot of places don't have the big chain stores and do groceries at different places depending on what's on special.
I do get family assistance but we try and save as much as we can of that and try just to live on my DF wage. Yes alot of the times we need to use my payments for food, fuel, formula an nappies (have 2 babies on formula and 3 kids in nappies) clothing for kids ect.
The government would also have to allow childcare fees and schooling as well.
I guess if the government decide to do it we will all just have to learn to deal with it. In the end I am neither for or against it.

I haven't heard anything about this - do you know if it's only in certain areas that they're going to implement it?

From what you have described, a part of me thinks it does sound like a good idea as there are some people who wouldn't be spending the money wisely (my neighbours would be one of them), but another part of me thinks it's not very fair on the people who are spending the money wisely. It's a hard one.

Almost all of my payments go to rent, I have a direct debit type thing set up at my bank so the rent comes straight out every fortnight - if this basics card was to be implemented where I am it would be a lot of mucking around to sort out all of our money.

They are talking about implementing it In Logan in QLD. Not sure about the rest of the country. As PP said it is already in Darwin.

Very interesting to read what you all think.

Athaye As far as I know it's only a few areas they are implementing it atm The story was on Today Tonight if you want to look it up, I would provide a link but have no idea how to lol

I was also thinking if they do bring it in to everybody on a payment it would be hard to those who shop at farmers markets for their fresh produce and also at smaller stores who don't accept the card. But then if they did bring it in to everyone then maybe it would be accepted at more shops.
But it is a tricky one a lot of positives and also negatives.

I suppose it depends on what type of payments they are getting.

I don't receive very much from Centerlink even tho my husband is only an apprentice. Anyway with what I get we try to save it for the big bills such as car rego or electricity.
Sometimes we do need it and sometimes we do waste it on junk.

We have a budget so that we can live of my husbands pittance as if we didn't live in Australia we probably wouldn't be getting the $193 a fortnight that I receive and I don't want to rely on it.

I think it is a great idea, As the money from benefit comes from our taxes. I object to seeing someone on benefit smoking and drinking away half their benefit, then complaining they can't pay their rent. As I understand it, it will only be for long term benefit users who have been highlighted to have a problem with managing finances

I'm not sure on this one. Sometimes there might be an occasion that they need extra $ for something not covered by the card & then the following payment might put more towards bills etc iykwim? That choice is taken away. But I guess that could encourage them to budget better in advance for things like birthdays & christmas.

I do agree that people already using the money well won't be affected much but they will lose that option of using a little extra one week for other things then making it up.
Perfect example is that today I'm going to do a little extra shopping at the toy sales before they end to put things away for Christmas. The money is coming out of money I have set aside for our next power bill which is not due for a month so I will make it up by then. People with the card wouldn't be able to do that.