Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says the prime minister needs to explain how the removal of the cashless debit card will not lead to higher rates of domestic violence in Indigenous communities.
Mr Dutton was in Adelaide on Thursday to visit Intract Australia, an Indigenous-owned and operated business and one of the largest employers of Indigenous personnel in the country.
The visit came as the Albanese government is seeking bipartisan support for a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice in the Constitution, at the same time making a pitch to senators to abolish the cashless debit card - a key welfare reform of the coalition government.
Mr Dutton has previously expressed cynicism at a constitutionally recognised voice to parliament, instead calling for more practical actions to address violence and disadvantage in Indigenous communities.
This includes keeping the cashless debit card to help reduce rates of domestic violence in Indigenous communities, Mr Dutton told reporters during his visit.
The card was brought in under the coalition government and allocated a portion of a person's welfare income, which could then not be used to withdraw cash or spend money on alcohol and gambling.
"The abolition of the welfare cards in Indigenous communities, I'm sorry to say, is going to increase the prevalence of violence in those communities, particularly against women and children," Mr Dutton said.
"So we'll continue our consultation in relation to the voice and other issues that are important to Indigenous communities, but I really want to see action now from the prime minister on reducing that violence within Indigenous communities."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated the voice would be more than symbolic by consulting with Indigenous communities about policy that affects them to achieve better outcomes.
However, Mr Dutton maintains the priority should be on immediately reducing harm and domestic violence in Indigenous communities.
"I've been very passionate over my working life, both as a police officer and in this job, to make sure that we support laws and enforce the laws that protect children and reduce domestic violence," he said.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth says she had spoken to people in a domestic violence shelter who said the card made no difference to their situation.
She said the government was instead looking at putting in place a voluntary income management scheme.
"We're talking with communities about what that might look like," Ms Rishworth told 2GB on Thursday.
"I want solutions that work. I want to support people if they have drug or alcohol problems. I want to make sure they get the support that works."
