'The data is not there': Key senator sinks cashless debit card

The government now wants to make these sites permanent and move people on a different income management program in the Northern Territory and Cape York onto the cashless debit card. It had the backing of the two One Nation senators but needed one more crossbench vote to pass the legislation.

It had its hopes pinned on Senator Patrick, who would not reveal his postion on the legislation before speaking in the Senate.

However, earlier in the day he criticised the government's failure to provide empirical data - not just anecdotes - on whether it had actually reduced alcoholism, drug use or gambling.

"Only anecdotal evidence is available on that and the government, if this goes down, that's where I think the blame can be laid, at them not doing their job properly over the last four years," he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Social Services Minister Anne Ruston offered all senators the opportunity to try the card in a bid to convince them to support the legislation, but Senator Patrick was the only taker.

He also spent several days in Ceduna in his home state of South Australia, and the Northern Territory speaking with people who use the card, community leaders and other residents.

"There's a tiredness amongst the communities about trials and it may be the time to either just get off it or recognise that it is there permanently," Senator Patrick said. He has concerns the government hasn't set up sufficient support services in communities or guaranteed to continue existing ones, such as sobering-up units, community supports and rehabilitation programs.

Centre Alliance's Stirling Griff also says the government hasn't delivered the "high degree of support services" initially promised. He's supportive of the trials - noting a number of communities want the card - but not of making it permanent and says the legislation as it stands is not acceptable.

Senator Ruston was asked for comment on the level of services provided.

Senator Patrick took aim at people who had contacted his office to campaign against the program in a rude way, saying there had been so many aggressive phone calls he'd had to get police help to ensure his staff's safety. He said they had not affected his decision.

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie said although she's backed the cashless debit cards in the past, she no longer believes the government is prepared to do everything it should to make it work. "I'm washing my hands of this policy," she said.

Labor and the Greens argue the card is punitive and racist, because it has been imposed on primarily Indigenous communities.

Last week, government backbencher Bridget Archer told the lower house she was unhappy with the cashless debit card and wouldn't back its expansion beyond the existing sites. She abstained from the House of Representatives vote.

The legislation will go to a Senate vote late on Wednesday night, with Thursday the final sitting day for the year.