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AAP
AAP
Politics
Maeve Bannister

Extra support for former cashless welfare communities

Amanda Rishworth will reveal plans to address issues in communities previously on cashless welfare. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

After abolishing the cashless debit card, the federal government will reveal its plan to address social issues remaining in communities previously on the controversial welfare program.

The government dumped the card last year and it became voluntary for people in Ceduna, Bundaberg, the East Kimberley and the Goldfields.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth will announce $25 million for additional support services for these communities previously on the card.

This includes an extra $16 million to support priorities of new local service plans and more than $7m to upgrade mobile and internet services in remote Northern Territory communities, to improve access to online government services.

The new service plans outline priorities for the regional communities who will be able to apply to direct the funding where it will be of best use.

The plans list the current support services available and include details of service gaps, social issues and priority needs.

Priorities already flagged include service delivery improvements and supporting economic development and participation.

Ms Rishworth said the plans were a call to action and reflected the government's commitment to working closely with these communities.

"We're delivering for these communities on things that work and that communities want, as we always said we would," she said.

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