LEGISLATION to enact the Federal Government’s Drug Testing Trial has been postponed to the new year.
The decision was made to preserve the rest of the Bill after the Drug Testing Trial faced obstruction from Labor and insufficient support from the crossbench.
Member for Canning Andrew Hastie said the opposition was disappointing but remained committed to fighting for the program which would help address drug abuse in Mandurah.
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READ NOW“Labor is obstructing a program that would make a big difference in our community,” he said.
“It’s been postponed for now so other fixes to our welfare system can pass the Senate, but we’ve certainly not stopped fighting for it.
“This trial has the potential to make a lasting difference for our community.”
The program identifies if job-seekers receiving Centrelink are struggling with drug abuse, and if they are, provides them with support to get clean and job ready.
Mr Hastie said the program was common sense reform.
“The people of Mandurah want the Drug Testing Trial to happen, and I’ll be fighting to see it pass,” he said.
“People are right to be upset and Labor needs to get serious about Mandurah and the Peel region.”
Mandurah MLA David Templeman said he was concerned the two-year drug testing trial could lead to increased crime and homelessness.
“Unfortunately, removing welfare payments from people will hit children the hardest, as they are the ones who will be the most vulnerable,’’ he said.
“What we need in Mandurah is jobs and investment in the future but we already know the Federal Government failed to commit $19 million to the Transform Peel initiative which will create hundreds of jobs for the region.”
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