Inquiry into proposed national compulsory income management scheme

February 2010

Submission to Senate Community Affairs Committee

In this submission ACOSS argues that the proposed extension of compulsory income management to affected income support recipients across the country would represent a major shift in Australian social security policy. In a clear extension beyond the proper role of the social security system, the proposed scheme would impose an unprecedented degree of behavioural control. It would be expensive, intrusive and unnecessary. ACOSS is concerned that the scheme is likely to make the lives of income support recipients more difficult and less dignified - constraining income support recipients' choices, imposing a considerable administrative burden and removing autonomy over individual finances.

ACOSS calls for the withdrawal of the compulsory income management provisions in the Welfare Reform Bill . We offer an alternative approach to reduce poverty and social exclusion, including adequate income support payments, improved employment assistance for long-term unemployed people, paid work experience, enhanced support services and voluntary income management, on an individual or community-basis.