Sister Alice Foley
While wishing to express my relief that the Government has begun to address the problems experienced by Aboriginal peoples, I am aware from personal contact with Aboriginal people of the very great difficulties which have resulted from Income Management. Very responsible people are treated in the same way as those who are irresponsible.
This would not be tolerated if the same principle were applied to recipients of welfare benefits in non-Aboriginal society. It is one of those unforeseen consequences of the extremely hasty action of the previous Government. It is unjust and highly discriminatory.
Willl the Labor Government act promptly to correct this injustice? It is causing physical suffering and distress to people, and the mental distress of finding themselves again unjustly dominated by inappropriate regulations as they were in earlier days.
You may be aware of the difficulties of using store cards when the stores nominated are at a great distance from small communities. The cost of transport greatly diminishes the money left for food. As a result people are leaving their communities where they simply cannot manage, and are moving to towns and cities, not by choice but by necessity. Being thus forced to leave their land was the cause of great distrust of the previous Government. Will your actions restore their trust in their Government, and thus carry on the good work begun by the apology.
Sister Alice Foley,
Carmelite Monastery,