The Morrison Governments tinkering with the Community Development Program does nothing to address the harm this discriminatory program is causing in remote communities.

The destructive impact of the punitive program on remote communities is well known, with evidence showing the CDP is leaving participants unable to feed their families and disengaging with the social security system.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion promised substantial reform to the remote area work for the dole program.

Instead what hes given us is tinkering around the edges, which worsens the impact of the CDP.

The proposed legislation Social Service Legislation Amendment (Community Development Program) Bill 2018 will make severe financial penalties worse.

The Governments own figures show they expect 25 per cent of CDP participants to be cut off income support for four weeks, further driving up poverty.

The Bill will increase the workload of local health services without giving them any more resources.

The Government has failed to consult with stakeholders about the impact of their changes in remote areas. Again they do things to, rather than with, First Nations people.

The CDP is a failure and the Governments proposed amendments will make it worse.

Labor will not be supporting this legislation.

WEDNESDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2018