7. GEORGINA BEYER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What steps has the Government taken to extend eligibility for childcare assistance?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
I am pleased to advise the House that on Monday this week the income limits for eligibility for childcare assistance were increased by around $5,000, making approximately 1,250 families eligible for childcare assistance for the first time. In addition, approximately 3,900 families who are already receiving childcare assistance will automatically get a higher rate. More than 5,000 families now stand to benefit from increases to childcare and out-of-school care and recreation—known as “OSCAR”—subsidies.
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
At the end of August this year 34,900 families were receiving childcare assistance for over 43,000 children. I am pleased to inform the House that this uptake is greater than was forecast for that period.
Judy TurnerHas he considered, when extending the eligibility for childcare assistance, the need for respite care for kinship caregivers; if not, does he accept that the Government is at risk of taking advantage of grandparents who take on the burden of raising their grandchildren in their golden years, and that the Government should start to recognised those grandparents’ contribution to society?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
No, I do not agree with that member’s proposition. As she is aware, the Government is currently undergoing policy development work in line with the undertaking in last year’s election manifesto.