The Wire

More Australians on welfare could have their income managed by the government, if Andrew Forrest gets his way. The Forrest Review wants to replace the current Basics Card with a new Healthy Welfare Card that people can use as a debit card. Some have slammed the current system for controlling what people in selected areas can spend their welfare payments on.You can buy essentials like food and clothing using the Basics Card, but not alcohol or services the government dissaproves of.The government sees this as an effective way to tackle addiction for vulnerable Australians. But critics say there is not enough evidence that income management works at all.