Media Release - Indigenous and Welfare Legislation Must Go To Committee

Catholic Social Services Australia Executive Director, Frank Quinlan, says major legislation to be tabled in Parliament today must be referred to a Senate Committee for further consideration.

Mr Quinlan said it is essential that sufficient time - at least two months - is allowed for genuine consultation regarding this important legislation.

Members of the House of Representatives will have eight hours to consider the five Bills to be tabled.

‘This is significant legislation and we need to get it right," Mr Quinlan said.

‘The inquiry must provide the opportunity for Indigenous leaders close to these issues to raise their concerns and feed into this important debate.

‘Undue haste and failure to consult risks worsening circumstances for those the legislation is purporting to protect.

‘The scope of this legislation goes well beyond the issue of ‘child abuse' in certain communities by extending to the permit system and land rights in the Northern Territory; and introducing radical change to the national welfare system.

‘Together with the Indigenous communities most affected and the broader public, we are unable to comment in any detail on the substance of the 500 pages of legislation to be introduced and voted on today.

‘But we call on the Federal Parliament to abstain from passing legislation with racist dimensions.

The Australian Catholic Bishops said in a statement released on 5 July:  

‘Institutionalised racism cannot be acceptable.  As Indigenous leaders have pointed out, the policy of imposing penalties on all parents receiving certain income support or Family Tax Benefits if they live in remote Aboriginal communities, while equivalent penalties will apply to other Australians only if there is evidence of "irresponsible" parenting, is both racially discriminatory and counter-productive.  It would appear to breach the Racial Discrimination Act (Cth) and Australia's international law obligations.'

"Quarantining" of welfare payments is highly contentious, and should not be introduced without adequate explanation and community debate. Overseas evidence suggests that no beneficial outcomes flow from financial sanctions applied in the absence of intensive support programs. 

‘In the interests of ensuring workable and beneficial legislation, which does not discriminate against the most vulnerable in our community, we call on all Parliamentarians to reject the unseemly haste with which these important Bills are being processed," Mr Quinlan said.                                                                                                     

CONTACT                  Judith Tokley   02 6285 1366 / 0408 824 306