TONY Abbott will spend a week living and volunteering in a remote Aboriginal community in WA next month.
The former Prime Minister is continuing his tradition of spending a week a year in Aboriginal Australia with a five-day visit in September.
“I think I am going to do a bit of teacher’s aide work, I think I will do some outdoor work and it will be as hands-on as possible,’’ he said.
“I am going up to East Kimberly. The reason I am keen to go there is that’s where the Centrelink debit card is being trialled.
“It’s an opportunity to see how it is working and give it my support.
The Cashless Debit Card Trial is designed to help disadvantaged communities tackle spending on drugs, alcohol and gambling.
It looks like a normal bank card and welfare payments are “banked” on the card, but cannot be used to buy alcohol or withdraw cash.
Mr Abbott said he was looking forward to making a contribution.
“As long as I am in public life it’s an important thing to do. It’s a way of letting people living in remote communities know they are taken seriously,” he said. “As best as I am able to do, I want to engage with people.
“There’s a tremendous difference between reading a briefing paper and actually being on the ground. That’s why it’s important.’’
