3. JUDY TURNER (Deputy Leader—United Future) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
Does he stand by his statement that he remains committed to providing grandparents raising grandchildren “with the sort of allowances provided to foster parents”; if so, what actions have been taken to achieve this?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
In the 2005 Labour manifesto we said that we will “Extend the support provided for grandparents raising grandchildren and other carers on a pension, in particular those taking on caring due to family breakdown, to provide them with the sort of allowances provided to foster parents.” I am committed to delivering on this policy, and I am pleased to inform the member and the House that this issue is under active consideration.
Will the Minister confirm that he is willing to work with United Future on future policy work regarding kinship carers, in an effort to bring action to this area, which has been overlooked for too long; if not, why not; if so, what areas does he consider the most pressing?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Yes, I can confirm that, and I welcome the interest and involvement of the member in ongoing policy development in that regard.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Will the Minister consider giving grandparents raising grandchildren any assistance with expenses, such as the legal fees they may incur in gaining custody, when a parent of their grandchildren can get legal aid to maintain the status quo; additional help for grandchildren with special needs; or consideration of the financial circumstances of grandparents who are raising more than one grandchild; if not, why not?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I am certainly happy to look at those issues. I point out to the member that the current entitlements include family assistance, the orphans benefit, the unsupported child’s benefit, and the foster care allowance, as appropriate.
Can the Minister explain whether the difficulties in closing the widening care gap are primarily financial or legislative, and can he provide details of those difficulties?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
No, I do not have information before me that would enable me usefully to answer that question at this point.