Debit card reeks of Big Brother

So ran the banner above yesterday's editorial penned by David Bancroft in Grafton's The Daily Examiner (Clarence Valley locals will remember David as a former staffer for then NSW Labor Minister for Local Government, Harry Woods).

SOME disturbing signs of social engineering are starting to appear from the new Rudd Government.
It is widely expected the Government will announce in tomorrow night's Budget a scheme to issue parents of neglected or abused children with special debit cards so money can't be wasted on gambling, drugs or alcohol.
On face value it sounds like a great idea.....
But serious questions remain about the scheme.
Firstly, who decides.....
What is to protect decent parents from unfair allegations?
Even if these questions are sorted out, many others remain.
The identity of abused or neglected children should not become public knowledge, but in small communities such as those we have here, retailers will soon know 'abusive' or 'neglectful' parents as they present their debit cards and, consequently, the identity of their children will be known.
What happens if not all retailers participate in the scheme?
What happens in a place like Lawrence or Copmanhurst if the general store does not accept a debit card? How will those parents be able to buy anything.
There is also talk the scheme be extended to old age and disabled pensioners, which expands the potential problems.
All these issues may have been addressed, but there has been so little public discussion and consultation that it is difficult to tell.