The Wire

The federal government announced on Thursday that the cashless welfare card will be extended to the division of Hinkler, in an effort to reduce youth unemployment.

Local Federal MP Keith Pitt says this move will help reduce youth welfare dependency, as Bundaberg has the highest welfare cost in the country.

But Sociologist Eva Cox says restricting the majority of young Australian’s welfare payments to a cashless debit cards will not solve the social issue of drug, alcohol and gambling abuse.