SENATOR CLAIRE MOORE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN

SHADOW MINISTER FOR CARERS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES
SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND
SENATOR CAROL BROWN
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR FAMILIES
AND PAYMENTS
LABOR SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
TURNBULL GOVERNMENT MUST SHOW LEADERSHIP ON SUPPORT FOR
GRANDPARENT CARERS
It is clear that the Turnbull Government still dont understand the needs of
grandparent carers and their families.
The Turnbull Governments long awaited and overdue response to the Senate
committee report on Grandparents who take primary responsibility for raising their
grandchildren is disappointing and lacks substance.
This comes as little surprise as only last year the Turnbull Government sought to
make cuts to grandparent carers.
Labor forced the Turnbull Government to back down from its plan to remove 4,000
grandparent carers from Family Tax Benefit Part B.
Malcolm Turnbull, Scott Morrison and Christian Porter repeatedly defended their
proposed cuts to grandparent carers. Mr Porter even insulted grandparent carers by
saying they should go back to work.
In contrast Labor understands the significant challenges faced by grandparentheaded families.
That's exactly why Labor stood side by side with grandparent carers in the face of
massive cuts.

The Turnbull Government must now show some leadership by addressing the overall
findings of the report by initiating a robust COAG discussion to find measures on
how to support the many struggling grandparent carers.
Ensuring that necessary support for grandparent carers is forthcoming will require
national effort; genuine and constructive engagement from governments, child
protection, social security and health systems and sectors, and the family court
system.
The Inquiry highlighted that too many grandparent carers dont know what supports
are available or struggle to navigate the maze of services, supports and interviews to
prove their claims.
Labor notes the Governments commitment to extending Grandparent Advisors and
strengthening support for grandparent carers through investment in a new initiative
to provide national information, resources and support for the target group.
However, grandparent carers and their families have waited more than a year for this
response and simply cannot wait any longer for the Government to take action.
Labor believes that grandparent carers are unsung heroes.
Instead of trying to take money off grandparent carers it is time the Turnbull
Government gave them the support and recognition they deserve.
FRIDAY, 15 JANUARY 2016