01:15

The cashless welfare card will be rolled out in Queensland after legislation to expand the trial passed the Senate on Tuesday.

The 33-32 vote came after the government won the support of independent Tim Storer, who backed the expansion having won an amendment to force additional oversight of the trial at the two new sites in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.

Storer had withheld his support following a damning audit office report that found the evaluation of existing trials in Ceduna and East Kimberley had been so “inadequate” it was unclear whether the cards had reduced social harm.

Labor and the Greens on Tuesday voted against the expansion of the card, which is also strongly opposed by major welfare groups and has drawn the ire of the Bundaberg mayor, former LNP stalwart Jack Dempsey. The local member, LNP MP Keith Pitt, is a strong supporter of the trial.

“The evidence from academics, experts and the auditor general is clear, the evidence isn’t there to justify continuing with the card, yet the government and some of the crossbench have gone ahead,” the Greens community services spokeswoman Rachel Siewert said in a statement.

Aimed at reducing alcohol, gambling and drug use, the cards quarantine 80% of a person’s welfare payments to a special debit card.

Storer’s amendment means the expansion must also be subject to an independent inquiry that consults with trial participants.