Parliament has passed the controversial Cashless Debit Card (CDC) laws overnight but last minute amendments mean the trial sites will now be extended for two years and will be optional for people currently on the Basics Card in the Northern Territory.
The contentious CDC is being trialled in four regions - Ceduna in South Australia, the East Kimberly and Goldfields region in the West and Bundaberg and Hervey Bay in Queensland.
The card quarantines 80 per cent of government payments so they cannot be used to withdraw cash, buy alcohol, or gamble.
Emotional speeches dominated Parliament as fierce debate continued long into the night.