Cashless debit card is 'tough but necessary policy' 10/12/2020|9min The cashless debit card is a "tough but necessary policy" which does make a difference, according to Resources Minister Keith Pitt. Trials involving controversial cashless welfare cards will be extended for another two years after the government failed to win support to make the scheme permanent. A bill was introduced before parliament on Wednesday but failed to gain traction during a marathon debate in the Senate. The debit card quarantines 80 per cent of a person’s welfare payment onto a card which cannot be used to buy alcohol, gambling products or to withdraw cash.