Fed: Publicans were taking credit cards for years: ATSIC
ATSIC chairman GEOFF CLARK says publicans and other traders have been taking creditcards from Aboriginal people and allowing them to rack up debts for years.
Mr CLARK's comments follow revelations of a practice in Western Australia in whichpublicans sell alcohol to Aboriginal people if they leave their cards and PIN numberswith them.
Mr CLARK says the practice is one of many that are widespread across Australia andare of great concern to ATSIC.
He says publicans, stores and other traders are able to exploit indigenous people becauseof their low level of financial literacy and poor access to financial services.
He says ATSIC plans to hold a workshop in May to find ways to improve the deliveryof banking and financial services to indigenous Australians.
The Australian newspaper reported today that a Kookynie publican admitted taking cardsand selling alcohol to Aboriginal people in a practice that, while legal, often leavesthem with no cash to buy food.
Police in the affected areas say the practice fuels other social problems such as domesticviolence and assaults on police officers.
AAP RTV jph/daw/jht
KEYWORD: CARDS ATSIC (CANBERRA)
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