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.
Statistics are shown for this demographic
Local Government Area
State Electorate
Response rates from 371k Australia voters.
68% Yes |
32% No |
58% Yes |
26% No |
7% Yes, but provide treatment for those testing positive |
5% No, only if they have a criminal history related to drug abuse |
2% Yes, test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians |
2% No, this is a waste of time and money |
1% Yes, and immediately terminate benefits for anyone testing positive |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 371k Australia voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 371k Australia voters.
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Unique answers from Australia voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@9VPTBW34mos4MO
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.
@9HJY34R1yr1Y
Yes, if they have a history and are exhibiting the signs of drug abuse after an interview with a professional
@9JJBTWF1yr1Y
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
@9HKY3771yr1Y
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)
@9JXWD391yr1Y
Yes, provide treatment for those who test positive, and test everyone earning money from the government, including employees and politicians.
@B343QT222hrs22H
Yes, if they have a criminal history related to drug use. If they test positive, then treatment should be provided.
@B33GS6Z2 days2D
Yes, recipients should be tested and if found to have a positive result they should get mandatory assistance but if they are a reoccurring problem then removing them from the programs
@B32DK5N4 days4D
No, substance abuse is typically indicative of mental health and socio-economic struggles. They're symptomatic of larger issues that first needs to be addressed
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