Australian aboriginal leader Noel Pearson yesterday praised a reform in welfare rules aimed at encouraging recipient families to take better care of their children.

Parents on welfare will be expected to ensure safe and healthy conditions for children, keep up on their rent payments, and perform some kind of useful work.  If they fail to fulfill their obligations, welfare payments will be diverted to a responsible relative or community member to mange the funds for them.

The program is to be implemented in four Aboriginal communities on Cape York in the far north of Queensland state.

Mr Pearson, who has fought for nine years for reform of what he calls "welfare passivity", said the Government's support for the institute's plan would allow comprehensive reforms to rebuild social norms and create incentives for economic development and growth in Cape York.

[Indigenous Affairs Minister] Mr [Mal] Brough said the Government's support was "an expression of the overwhelming desire of people in Cape York to ensure their children grow up in a safe home, attend school and enjoy the same opportunities as any other Australian child".

"The trials in these four communities aim to promote engagement in the real economy, reduce passive welfare and rebuild social norms, particularly as they affect the wellbeing of children.

"A major feature of the reforms is the introduction of a set of obligations attaching to welfare payments, which will require parents to send their children to school and protect them from harm and neglect.

The plan also includes a process to assist those who do not meet their responsibilities before welfare funding would be redirected.

h/t: Political Correctness Watch

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