Liberal backbencher lambasts Coalition’s ‘punitive’ cashless debit card welfare program

Bridget Archer says it is not backed up by evidence and has already caused harm to communities

A federal Liberal MP has issued a scathing rebuke of her own government's cashless debit card welfare program, saying it is a punitive" scheme that causes harm and stigma and is not backed up by evidence.

The Morrison government is seeking to pass legislation that will make trial sites in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland permanent, and transfer more than 20,000 people in the Northern Territory from the Basics card to the cashless debit card program.