In 2014 the government denied a proposal to subject welfare recipients to drug testing. Proponents including Liberal-National Party MP George Christensen argued that anyone receiving taxpayer funded benefits should be able to demonstrate that they are drug-free. Opponents, including Greens MP Adam Bandt, argued that if welfare recipients were subject to testing MPs should be as well.
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@9HJY34R1yr1Y
Yes, if they have a history and are exhibiting the signs of drug abuse after an interview with a professional
Yes, provide treatment for those who test positive, and test everyone earning money from the government, including employees and politicians.
@9JJBTWF11mos11MO
if they have a history of drugs, there should be a way to track spendings from the goverment point, so they can see if they are evn buying drugs
Yes, but only if a trained employee sees the typical signs of addiction/substance abuse, and after they refer this recipient to an onsite specialist who comes to the same conclusion should they be tested (or voluntary)
Illicit class 1 drugs like heroin, meth & cocaine, yes. But not for marijuana. If marijuana is off limits there is no scientific reason that alcohol should be allowed. The only notated cognitive effect from heavy, long-term marijuana usage is impairment to the short-term memory. Alcohol negatively impacts every part of the brain. If people are allowed alcohol there is no reason they shouldn’t be allowed marijuana
Yes, provide treatment for those who test positive more than twice in 3 months and put restrictions in place to reduce access.
@9WK97VN2mos2MO
Yes, but for those who have a history or suspected of drug abuse and if they test positive. They should be allocated treatment and help while also facing a disciplinary action to the appropriate degree.
i think drug testing should only be relevant after a certian period of time or randomly but it should not take thier welfare away but instead recieve help.
Yes, provide treatment for those testing positive. Immediately terminate benefits for government employees.
@9VRSZNL3mos3MO
Yes, but provide treatment for those tasting positive. Everyone receiving money from the government should be tested, including employees and politicians.
@9VPTBW33mos3MO
No, only if they have a history (criminal or otherwise) with class A illegal drugs. I would not waste the time or money to include anything legally prescribed aka cannabis.
@9G9NGX61yr1Y
Only if they have been reported with drugs or suspicious activity. If not I don't see why they should be tested.
@9S7L6LY4mos4MO
Only if there are effective and adequate alternative treatments for mental health conditions available to welfare recipients
@9LXD7C98mos8MO
Yes, but no punishment should be given. All government employees and politicians should be tested and the results given to the media.
@9KYHPTP9mos9MO
No, the lawmakers need to be tested for cocaine and heroin. They should also not be allowed to be drunk on the job.
@9KVL7Q610mos10MO
If they are homeless yes if they are just old and don't work anymore they can consent to test if they wish.
I don’t have a strong stance on this, but I think there should be standards in place to ensure the welfare money isn’t used inappropriately
Test and if positive provide the right things they would need to keep them stable money wise and provide treatment.
YES BUT PROVIDE TREATMENT FOR those testing positive. And we should also test anyone receiving money from the government.
@9GGL9B61yr1Y
Yes, everyone should be tested and helped if they have a problem. Including: employees and politicians.
@9FFQ8Q51yr1Y
Yes, but provide treatment for those testing positive and test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians
Yes, but only if there is reasonable grounds
@8KRDKB54yrs4Y
if testing is deemed necessary then politicians and government workers receiving gov money should also be tested and those that are testing positive should be provided with help rather than punished
@8NY8LJY4yrs4Y
Maybe, but only if they provide support as drug addiction is an illness just as any other.
@8GZ8L9C4yrs4Y
No, but decrease money given and give food stamp equivalents instead. Also, if found to be addicted to drugs regularly check in on dependents (eg. kids).
@967ZZPY2yrs2Y
No, we really have bigger problems to focus on.
Yes but terminate benefits and provide treatment options untill they are deemed drug free by a medical professional
@94696952yrs2Y
I feel like you shouldnt assume someone receiving welfare is using, so it should not be a regular thing but only if it is required as a protocol to start receiving.
@93GJJHJ3yrs3Y
Yes, but only if they have a history of drug abuse and provide rehabilitation and the appropriate treatment for those who test positive.
@93FDTV93yrs3Y
Only if they are on probation for drugs
@939KTRW3yrs3Y
No, only if there is a reasonable belief that drugs have been used
@938X54Z3yrs3Y
Has to be circumstantial
@9352MNW3yrs3Y
Yes, but provide treatment, if they don't stick to treatment plan, then stop payments. Also should test politicians
@934VHYQ3yrs3Y
Yes test for substances, but let the people who have a medical issues such as Adhd that have a professional guiding them make choices to help them self and be honest and upfront. No substance abuse
@934M3453yrs3Y
Mandatory programs for rehabilitation
@934K5NS3yrs3Y
No it's a waste of time and money but social welfare programs should be temporary if someone is able to work.
@9347FQS3yrs3Y
Yes but only for hard drugs like heroine and methamphetamines.
@9346PS93yrs3Y
For the time being, they should be tested and if testing positive should be helped with rehabilitation, and this test should be extended to politicians.
if they have children they should get help and still receive payment
@9344DLM3yrs3Y
No, this is a breech of privacy
@933ZZKS3yrs3Y
Yes, provide trestment but also stop there Government welfare checks
@933XZ943yrs3Y
Yes, and test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians, but also provide treatment for those testing positive rather than criminalising them (unless rightfully so).
@933L7D33yrs3Y
No, this is a waste of time and money we should work on generational recipients of welfare though but not take money from people if they have a drug addiction, they should be sent to a rehabilitation clinic.
@933KVRS3yrs3Y
Yes but if they have been on it for over a certain amount of time and only for certian drugs
@9336MMR3yrs3Y
No, only if they are both receiving money from the government (including employees and politicians) and have a criminal history related to drug abuse, and provide treatment for those testing positive
Yes, but provide treatment, a financial counsellor and case worker. Spending should be monitored and penalties for using/buying/selling drugs
@932V3SV3yrs3Y
@932F8PN3yrs3Y
No, welfare programs should be reduced
Only if they have a criminal history related to drug abuse, and provide treatment for those testing positive. Also decriminalise drugs.
Yes, but randomly and provide treatment if positive
@92YLVXP3yrs3Y
What will if they get tested? Targets random individuals that may not be on drugs.
@92YJFZ43yrs3Y
No, people turn to illicit substances when they feel defeated. Don’t waste money testing people for drugs when you could be spending it treating the mental health issues that lead them down that road in the first place.
@92YDKP83yrs3Y
All government Employees, politicians and Welfare recipients should be tested. And provided treatment if positive.
@92Y4G2M3yrs3Y
Random drug testing with penalties similar to work places
@92XT34Q3yrs3Y
I think we should legalise all drugs. It works fairly well in Portugal. This way we can monitor the sales of it and Di stigmatise drugs.
@92XQ8SM3yrs3Y
Yes, but offer treatment for those that test positive if they refuse or Fail reduce their benefit and restrict where they can spend it
@92X2MYY3yrs3Y
yes, test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians, provide treatment for those positive, and terminate some of their benefits if it directly opposes their drug use. (eg. if getting money aid and use that on drugs)
@92WGJMV3yrs3Y
If they have been charged with prior use of A class drugs in the presence of adolescent then yes
@92VTT383yrs3Y
not if they are working or applying for jobs
@92VLTYB3yrs3Y
Only for any other drug apart from marijuana.
Yes, but testing should only be imposed on individuals who meet certain criteria to be drug tested. Positive users should be referred to treatment and they should still be eligible for welfare benefits.
@92VDT8C3yrs3Y
No young person benefits, reduce retirement to 55 and only pay short tum or medically supported benefits, create low skill, labour, training jobs support by government policy to change unemployment culture
Yes, and reduce significant welfare benefits but ensure treatment is provided and if they test negative consistently, slowly increase their benefits
No, only if they have a criminal history related to drug abuse and they are failing to meet their mutual obligations for their payments
@92SGXKM3yrs3Y
I think more thorough testing should be done to who is eleigible for it.
@92RZWMGLiberal Democrat3yrs3Y
People on welfare should get a job
@92PZ5BP3yrs3Y
Only if we drug test everyone else in society
@92PX6NM3yrs3Y
Yes, but before providing any treatment for those positive - check to see if any legal medications was taken to the results as there may be conflicts. Otherwise it would be discrimination.
In the olden days people on script medications were wrongly put and kept in drug,Physchology departments of hospitals until the laws changed as there is a big difference between legal script grounds and illegal drugs.
New Laws must be brought in that makes it clear illegal to all hospitals, clinics etc to keep a person without legal grounds otherwise they (public,private areas liability) must pay high government fines and must pay compensation to clients.
@92NZ9V83yrs3Y
No, increase funding to better and accessible pathways to healthcare and rehabilitation services to reduce the problem to begin with
@92N8XWQ3yrs3Y
Yes they should but it shouldn’t stop them from getting support and there should be education around it
@92L972C3yrs3Y
I think those who are on long term welfare should do work for their payments.
@92KS56W3yrs3Y
Yes , but it depends which drugs
@92KNTVX3yrs3Y
Yes, but only for certain addictive drugs (like ice) and not for marijuana or medicinal drugs
@92JXTJZ3yrs3Y
Yes but offer support/rehabilitation programs with access to pay
@92JWZ4D3yrs3Y
No, but if you do. test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians
@92JGT4G3yrs3Y
Yes, only after they have been in program for more then 1 year, with no progress.
@92HRWC93yrs3Y
Yes, should provide treatment but be evaluated on their ability to work and provide for their family based on their use
@92GK5YQ3yrs3Y
Yes. But only for payments that are payable to abled bodied adults of working age (is: Not the DSP or Age Pension)
@92FTSY73yrs3Y
@92D24T93yrs3Y
Yes, if there is a history of these issues.
@92CH3P53yrs3Y
Welfare should be provided as vouchers for food, fuel, clothing, utilities
@92C3RJH3yrs3Y
People receiving unemployment benefits only should be tested
@929L6KM3yrs3Y
Yes, but only if they have a criminal history relating to drug use.
@928862M3yrs3Y
Yes, test everyone (welfare recipients, government employees and politicians included) but consider their case before penalising
@927NT8P3yrs3Y
Only stop if they are using heavy drugs like Meth, cocaine or ice. The money that is meant to go to them should pay for them to go to rehab and treatment.
@927JHLK3yrs3Y
No unless criminal history related to drugs and if positive don’t cut payments and provide help
No, but provide treatment for those that request it on a consensual basis.
Welfare recipients who are not elderly, severely disabled, studying and or looking for employment should be drug tested.
Yes, provide treatment for those who test positive. Test anyone who receives money from govt. including politicians and employees
@92294GN3yrs3Y
Yes, but provide treatment for them testing positive. Repeat offences though should be terminated benefits
Yes, only for those with violent drug charges
@8ZTCMFW3yrs3Y
No testing, but change cash payments to coupons for essentials and housing
No, only if they have a criminal history related to drug abuse AND provide treatment for anyone testing positive
Yes, but not tested for recreational
No as it would create more homeless and public disturbances with criminal activity
Yes but then give food stamps so the money only goes to what they need
No, this is not only a waste of time and resources but it is a discriminatory, stereotype pushing practice aimed more at rallying disgruntled members of the public to a 'tribe' that aligns with our current socially conservative government. Rather, instead of participating in such foolishness, the Federal Government should to provide greater funding to established successful prevention, intervention and rehabilitation practices.
@8ZRDLTV3yrs3Y
Yes, if there is a history of neglecting children, missing appointments and other government obligations, and if a person seeks rehabilitation or other drug and alcohol support services.
@8ZQRRNS3yrs3Y
It seems like a much broader problem. We need to look at why welfare recipients are buying drugs and try to sort that out. Aiming to get as many people off government welfare should be the main objective. I do believe people should be more accountable for welfare they receive however stripping them of it for testing positive to drugs seems like it would cause more problems than it would fix.
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