Red Rooster petitions Government over Basics Card

An Alice Springs fast food outlet is petitioning the Federal Government to allow Basics Cards to be used in takeaway food stores and cafes. 

Red Rooster's manager Michelle Hall says other outlets, such as supermarkets, are selling takeaway food including chips, chickens and hamburgers on Basics Cards. 

She says cafes, restaurants and takeaway outlets in the town should be allowed to accept the card.

"We've started a petition because we're trying to get as many people to write down that they will use their Basics Card," she said.

"It's not fair that we don't have it when they can go to the takeaway down the road and use it there.

"It should apply to other takeaway outlets, it should apply to restaurants and cafes. If people don't have the facilities to cook their food at home or if they have no home, they need to get dinner from somewhere."

Ms Hall says all businesses in the town should have the same opportunity.

"We just want to make them aware that is affecting businesses and in a small town like this with the cost of living as it is, [you] can't affect businesses any more than they already are," she said.

"So we're just hoping that they have a look at it and just say, 'well, it is a bit unfair,' and let the takeaways in.

"Let the takeaways in, let the restaurants in, let the cafes in."

The Alice Springs Chamber of Commerce says it supports the petition. 

The chamber's Kay Eade says the scope for the Basics Card should be broadened.

"It was principally brought out to inhibit the sale of alcohol, tobacco and pornography," she said.

"Now I think if a store is not selling those three items that they should be able to use the Basics Card."

Source: ABC News, 22 November 2012