This week the federal Labor Government introduced a bill which would give the minister the power to cancel the welfare payments to individuals where an arrest warrant has been issued. 

Comments attributable to Timothy Roberts, President NSWCCL 

“The presumption of innocence is a non-negotiable for a democracy. This amendment undermines this essential democratic concept. The cancellation of welfare payments could mean homelessness and hunger for the accused person, when they have not been convicted of an offence. 

“NSWCCL calls on the Albanese government to not take this step towards authoritarianism, where a politician acts as judge and jury to punish someone who has not been convicted by a court. 

“In the past year alone we have seen the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences and the laws that allow for extrajudicial punishment of people on bridging visas and now this.

“We echo concerns that this would disproportionately harm First Nations peoples and victims of domestic violence.”