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Retailers reject covert nature of Rudd Government spying scheme - ARA slams ‘Big Brother’ audit of welfare debit card

The ARA has strongly rejected the notion by the Rudd Government that it intends to spy on retailers delivering services to disadvantaged Australians. According to ARA’s Executive Director Richard Evans, the idea that retailers will be investigated for fraud and spied upon is absurd and at the very least an indication of poorly developed policy.

"The concept of welfare debit cards is welcomed by retailers for it provides choice in shopping for disadvantaged Australians, but to penalize retailers for the application of a Government program is just stupid," Evans said. 

Evans is commenting on Human Resources Minister Joe Ludwig's comments at Senate Estimates hearings yesterday concerning welfare debit cards. According to the Minister, Senate Estimates is considering ways to address potential fraud risks stemming from the use of the debit card including exploring the feasibility of random formal and secret shopper style audits of merchants. 

"The Government is suggesting that young Australians at the cash register - perhaps entrapped by a Government spy - will be penalized. This is contrary to the ‘fair go" philosophy embraced by workers in every Australian workplace. 

"The welfare debit card is planned for Indigenous communities which in itself is fundamentally racist if is not rolled out to the broader community. Can you imagine the black trade and the security issues at the cash registers this scheme will bring if the Government introduces covert operation through the management of the program?," Evans said. 

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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