good idea ?

The chief executive officer of a far-north Queensland Indigenous council says the Federal Government should introduce a smart card to ensure family allowance is spent appropriately.

Bob Sands, from the Kowanyama Community Council, says he fears that some people are spending the money on illegal gambling and alcohol.

He says a "smart card" would ensure the payments are only spent on essential items.

"A smart card that allows the money to be spent on the kids only, like for clothing, food, whatever the essentials needed to keep kids going," he said.

"You can bet your bottom dollar if it's a smart card that deals with those issues only, there won't be any money spent on gambling or poker machines or grog, it'll be spent where it should be and that's on the kids."

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I'd say something like this is needed right across the country, not only for aboriginals.

Dave R.