Communities in Western Australia's northern Goldfields are a step closer to a trial of a welfare debit card following a meeting with Federal Government members yesterday.

A bill to set up three trial sites for the welfare card, which will hold 80 per cent of fortnightly payments and cannot be used on alcohol or gambling, was passed by Parliament in October.

The Government has already announced the east Kimberley and Ceduna in South Australian will take part in year-long trials.

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister Alan Tudge yesterday held an information session with community leaders from Leonora and Laverton, north of Kalgoorlie.

About 20 people attended the closed meeting, including Federal Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson, shire representatives, Aboriginal leaders and local police.

The proposal was met with overwhelming support, and both shires indicated they were keen to progress with the next stage of consultations.

Hopes card will help antisocial behaviour

Laverton Shire president Patrick Hill said both communities struggled with antisocial behaviour.

"This is a very important step we have taken coming together and supporting this initiative in the first stage," he said.

"If this is achievable and it does improve the living standards in our towns, that's what we want to see."

Northern Goldfields community leader Kado Muir said he hoped the cashless card would see a reduction in antisocial behaviour and alcohol abuse.

"[There are] two things that will be immediately apparent," Mr Muir said.

"One is that starting Tuesday night through to Saturday night people are partying and shouting and fighting and killing themselves after dark - hopefully we will see a reduction in that.

"And the other thing is that we have children standing around outside the pub and outside the road house looking for food at night.

"Hopefully we will see a reduction in those signs, and that will tell us that it's working."

Proposal meets mixed reaction

But Leonora Aboriginal elder Richard Evans said he would not support the card.

"I think it's a violation of our human rights," he said.

"Because they are telling me how to spend my money."

Laverton Aboriginal elder Bruce Smith said people needed to put their children's rights first.

"I have rights, so does everyone else have rights, but what does that have to do with the children's rights?" he said.

"If I say it's my right to get my money and spend my money on alcohol and drugs, what about your children's rights?

"These benefits are not always yours. A percentage of it is yours, but the other percentage is for the kids."

The Government will hold another meeting with the communities next year to determine whether they will proceed with the trial.