Drug-testing for welfare recipients ruled out by Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews

Updated

Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews has finally ruled out drug testing dole recipients, after initially repeatedly refusing to rule in or rule out the idea.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott ruled out the proposal on the weekend but Government backbencher George Christensen says random drug tests should be rolled out for those on benefits and also applied to politicians.

Reports emerged on the weekend that a wide-ranging review of Australia's welfare system could propose following New Zealand's example and introduce drug testing for welfare recipients.

But Mr Abbott quickly ruled out the suggestion, saying: "It's not something that we're planning. Simple as that."

The speculation was sparked by Mr Andrews, who told News Corp the Government was examining international options for welfare reform, including New Zealand.

"While Australia's welfare system is different from New Zealand, its reforms provide a guide as to the Government's thinking on simplifying our welfare system," he said.

Speaking to the ABC's AM program this morning, Mr Andrews on five occasions refused to rule out random drug tests for dole recipients before eventually declaring it not an option.

"The reports on the weekend were basically some premature speculation about what might, or might not be, in the McClure welfare review," he said.

"It's premature of me to be getting into what might or might not be in that report when we haven’t even got the issues paper out."

When pressed Mr Andrews described it as "a peripheral issue", adding: "I don't think we're going to go down that track".

"We're unlikely to go down that track for this reason: drug testing largely involves state jurisdictional responsibilities," he said.

When asked if he would consider negotiating with the states on drug testing, Mr Andrews said that was not on his agenda.

"If I get into the job of ruling in or out everything that might or might not be in the welfare review, then we're just getting into premature speculation," he said.

When it was pointed out to him that the Prime Minister was prepared to rule out the idea on the weekend, Mr Andrews conceded: "Well its out".

Coalition backbencher Christensen wants politicians drug tested

But the idea has found some support from within the Parliament, and from a Senator-elect who joins the Upper House in a month's time.

Liberal-National Party MP George Christensen says those in receipt of taxpayer benefits should be able to demonstrate they are drug-free.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: George Christensen speaks to ABC News Breakfast (ABC News)

"There is the ethical and moral issue of whether or not taxpayer dollars should be going into funding people's drug habits and this drug-testing-for-the-dole suggestion would actually weed these people out of the system," Mr Christensen said.

"If mine workers in my electorate have to undertake random drug testing, why shouldn't those on the dole? They need to be work ready," Mr Christensen wrote on Twitter.

The Queensland MP says as a public official he would also be prepared to be tested and believes his parliamentary colleagues should too.

"Sure - go and get the swab. I'll do it. I've got no problems," Mr Christensen said.

"I'd be happy to support that. I would have no problem with that at all. It might make a few Greens MPs nervous but it wouldn't make me worry at all."

Greens MP Adam Bandt says he does not support testing dole recipients or parliamentarians for use of illegal drugs and asked whether MPs would agree to their alcohol consumption be monitored.

"I wonder whether the same people who are proposing these harsh measures for young people would be prepared to have every MP breathalysed before they go into the chamber," he said.

Tasmanian Palmer United Party Senator-elect Jacqui Lambie says drug testing politicians might help explain some of the policy decisions made in Canberra.

"Well we're going to see why we are getting all these sort of awful decisions coming out one way or the other, aren't we?" she said.

"Fair go ... you've got to practice what you preach - lead by example."

In 2007, Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan challenged other federal politicians to set an example to the sporting and wider community and also submit to random drug testing.

Palmer United senator-elect Jacqui Lambi says the results of politicians' drug tests might help explain some of the policy decisions made in Canberra.

Topics: welfare, community-and-society, federal-government, government-and-politics, australia

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