LOGAN will lobby the federal government to improve the proposed model for drug testing of welfare recipients when a delegation heads to Canberra next week.
Acting mayor Cherie Dalley heads a delegation which visits the nation’s capital to present four motions at the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly from June 17 to 21.
Cr Dalley said her team would meet federal politicians and push for changes to the proposed drug testing trial legislation.
It will lobby to include voluntary participation, bring forward intervention and treatment support if a recipient fails the first drug test and incentives for welfare recipients to stay on complete treatment programs.
It will also request funding be made available through the trial is invested in increased case management, upskiling professionals across the social services sector and enhanced skilling and resourcing of GPs and other practitioners.
“We strongly feel – and our opinion has been backed by experts and by people working on the ground in this field – that the proposal as it stands now doesn’t do enough to tackle drug abuse and addiction, which are national issues that create a broad range of social issues,” Cr Dalley said.
“Through our city of choice initiative, we’ve sought advice from local support services to help us understand what’s needed if the trial is going to make a real difference in helping people deal with these challenges and ultimately get jobs.
“We’ll be making sure our voice is heard while we’re in Canberra.
“While we don’t feel Logan should be included in a trial of welfare drug testing, if the federal government is intent on introducing a trial here, we want it to be done the right way.
“We argued for a more holistic, wrap around approach when a senate public hearing into the proposed legislation was held here in Logan, and we’ll continue to advocate on those lines.”
The delegation has secured meetings with social services minister Dan Tehan, social services shadow minister Linda Burney, families and social services shadow minister Jenny Macklin and several senators from across the political spectrum.
The council will use the assembly to present four motions focusing on social procurement, recycling and city deals, as well as a motion regarding the need for sector engagement around the drug testing trial.
It will call on the government to:
- introduce a taxation category recognising social enterprises and develops a national guideline for social orocurement in Local Government that provides clear parameters for councils developing social procurement policies within existing legislative frameworks.
- undertake extensive consultation with local governments, the community sector, medical experts and other relevant stakeholders prior to proposing further income management measures, such as drug testing and trials for cashless debit cards for welfare recipients
- implement legislation and policies which support the development of local recycling and encourage markets for recyclable materials (such as mandating recycled content of relevant products), to ensure there is not an over-reliance on export markets
- develop a transparent, competitive process and a set criteria for selecting future city deals
“We’ll be moving motions that I believe would greatly benefit Logan and councils across Australia if they were to be adopted,” Cr Dalley said.
“For example, we’ll be urging the federal government to implement legislation and policies to support the development of local recycling and encourage markets for recycling materials.
“Logan already has a strong voice at all levels of government thanks to our advocacy program, and hopefully with the backing of the NGA our motions will lead to action and change.”
The NGA is an annual event for the Australian Local Government Association, attracting more than 800 mayors and councillors each year.
It provides a unique opportunity for local government to engage directly with the federal government to develop national policy.
