A protest against "cashless welfare" was organised by Sydney Coalition Against the Card outside a Centrelink office in Blacktown on October 19.
Blacktown, in Sydney's west, is one of the localities that has been selected to trial a proposed cashless welfare card. Under the scheme, welfare recipients will have 80% of their payments quarantined onto a special debit card that can only be used where EFTPOS and Internet are available. Certain purchases, including alcohol and gambling, are restricted.
Protesters vowed to return every third Friday, until the trial is abandoned.
Blacktown, October 19. Photo: No Cashless Debit Card Sydney/FB
Blacktown, October 19. Photo: No Cashless Debit Card Sydney/FB
Blacktown, October 19. Photo: No Cashless Debit Card Sydney/FB
Blacktown, October 19. Photo: No Cashless Debit Card Sydney/FB