❓ The Minister for Community Services provides an update on the 'Grandcarers Support Scheme', an election promise to assist grandparents who are primary carers for their grandchildren. The scheme provides financial assistance, and the Minister highlights its positive impact and collaboration with the federal government.
AnsweredQoN 6Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GRANDCARERS
— ELECTION PROMISE
6. Ms A.R. MITCHELL to the
Minister for Community Services:
Could the minister please update the house on progress of the
delivery of the election commitment to help grandparents who care for their
grandchildren?
— ELECTION PROMISE
6. Ms A.R. MITCHELL to the
Minister for Community Services:
Could the minister please update the house on progress of the
delivery of the election commitment to help grandparents who care for their
grandchildren?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for her question. This is a great program
to recognise grandparents in our community. We estimate that in Western
Australia there are 2 500 grandparents in our community who, for whatever
reason, have become the prime carers of their grandchildren. It is very
important for a child to have a nurturing, loving family and to have continuity
in their lives, especially in their younger years at school.
This process is good news; the government is recognising the
grandcarers support scheme through this program. The government has allocated
$400 for the first child and $250 for the second child under the age of 16 to
recognise what their grandparents do in our community. Interestingly, since the
scheme was launched in January this year, we have received 138 applications
from grandparents looking after some 230 children in our community. I had the
opportunity to meet with a few grandparents at Kings Park who were very excited
about the payment, and said that the money could not have come at a better time
with the upcoming school year so that they could pay for school shoes,
backpacks and books. It was great to see that the government could help with a
small contribution towards the cost of raising children in our community. I
also take the opportunity to acknowledge Wanslea. It is a great organisation
that has helped to promote this scheme in the community. For members who know
grandparents in the community who are the prime carer for their grandchildren,
please help them to access this money that is available to help them.
Importantly, Western Australia is the first state to
recognise this role undertaken by grandparents in our community, and the great
work that they do. It is also great to see that we could work with the federal
government, which has acknowledged that these payments will not affect any of
the grandcarers' pensions or other income from the federal government.
The federal government also acknowledges the great work that grandcarers do.
Again, this is about our government building safe and stronger communities and
acknowledging the great work that grandparents do in our community.
to recognise grandparents in our community. We estimate that in Western
Australia there are 2 500 grandparents in our community who, for whatever
reason, have become the prime carers of their grandchildren. It is very
important for a child to have a nurturing, loving family and to have continuity
in their lives, especially in their younger years at school.
This process is good news; the government is recognising the
grandcarers support scheme through this program. The government has allocated
$400 for the first child and $250 for the second child under the age of 16 to
recognise what their grandparents do in our community. Interestingly, since the
scheme was launched in January this year, we have received 138 applications
from grandparents looking after some 230 children in our community. I had the
opportunity to meet with a few grandparents at Kings Park who were very excited
about the payment, and said that the money could not have come at a better time
with the upcoming school year so that they could pay for school shoes,
backpacks and books. It was great to see that the government could help with a
small contribution towards the cost of raising children in our community. I
also take the opportunity to acknowledge Wanslea. It is a great organisation
that has helped to promote this scheme in the community. For members who know
grandparents in the community who are the prime carer for their grandchildren,
please help them to access this money that is available to help them.
Importantly, Western Australia is the first state to
recognise this role undertaken by grandparents in our community, and the great
work that they do. It is also great to see that we could work with the federal
government, which has acknowledged that these payments will not affect any of
the grandcarers' pensions or other income from the federal government.
The federal government also acknowledges the great work that grandcarers do.
Again, this is about our government building safe and stronger communities and
acknowledging the great work that grandparents do in our community.
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