JODIE HARRISON CONDEMNS THE GOVERNMENT ON ITS FAILURE TO PROHIBIT CASH LOAN MACHINES

Today in Parliament, Member for Charlestown, Jodie Harrison spoke on the Fair Trading Amendment (Cash Loan Machines) Bill 2019 which will prohibit cash loan machines from being installed or kept on any premises across the State.

Ms Harrison said cash loan machines operate like an ATM, however the money is an actual loan with exorbitant fees.

These machines prey on low income earners and trap them in vicious cycles of debt, Ms Harrison said.

Theyavoid national credit laws and cannot take into account the financial circumstances of customers, locking people into loans with unreasonably high fees.

The people who are using these machines are people who cannot afford to pay back the debt.

The Cash Loan machines offer between $50.00 and $1000.00 and only require ID, bank details and a phone number to gain approval totally eliminating face-to-face contact, and ignoring the financial circumstances of the borrower.

I have a particular interest in this Bill because one of these machines is located in Mt Hutton and I want it gone.

I am vehemently opposed to these machines, and today I urged all Members of Parliament to act in the best interests of our most vulnerable constituents to support this legislation to ban these machines.

I am bitterly disappointed that the Government members could not see past party politics regarding this matter and voted against the Bill and I condemn the Government for its failure to once again protect the vulnerable members of my community.

(ENDS)