Australia’s 2.8 million unpaid carers work tirelessly every day to care for children with additional needs, sick or elderly family members and people with a disability.
“National Carers Week is a great opportunity to celebrate their extraordinary contribution and thank them for all that they do”, says Federal Member for Bass, Ross Hart MP.
However, instead of acknowledging the fantastic contribution Bass’s carers make the Liberals again have them in their sights for cuts.
In the horror 2014 Budget, the Liberal Government launched an unprecedented attack on carers, attempting to slash the indexation arrangement for the Carer Payment.
“Labor stood side by side with Bass carers to block the Liberal Government’s unfair Carer Payment and pension cuts in the Senate”.
“But the battle isn’t over”, says Mr. Hart.
We have again seen the Liberal Government softening the public up for cuts to financial support for carers.
Last year the Minister for Social Services Christian Porter flagged that payments to carers could be cut.
“We know a review is being undertaken into the eligibility for the Carers Payment”.
“Mr Porter should be honest with the 1,645 Carer Payment recipients in Bass and say where the review is up to”, Mr. Hart said.
“Is he planning to cut the Carer Payment or push people off the payment entirely?”
“I remain concerned that the Turnbull Government will use the review to reduce eligibility for these important income supports for carers.”
Most recently, Mr Porter, failed to articulate what additional supports and services his new ‘investment approach’ would provide to young carers.
“Carers deserve better”, Mr Hart said.
ROSS HART MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BASS
