As an individual who supports freedom, liberty and minimum government interference I have to disagree with the good Liberal Democrat Senator, David Leyonhjelm.

Welfare is not a right.

It never was a right.

It is a privilege.

I could end this post with just that, that’s all that needs to be said.

But…..

Welfare is a privilege that is provided by the taxpayer to assist people through hard times. Government – who in theory represents the people – tax hard working people in order to provide this privilege. Government – who represent hard working taxpayers (in theory) – have every right to impose whatever criteria they want on welfare recipients.

As the good Senator prides himself on being a libertarian, I understand how confused he must be in regards to this issue. On one hand, it is taxpayers money that fuels welfare and that must be respected but on the other hand, being a libertarian means minimal government interference in the lives of human life, therefore is it right for government to implement mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients?

The answer is yes.

Senator Leyonhjelm needs to understand that individuals have a choice. To receive welfare or not to receive welfare. Because they have this choice and because welfare is a privilege then individual rights have not been violated with mandatory drug testing.