Wed, 14th May 2008

Carers don't rate in Labor's priorities

Senator the Hon Helen Coonan
Shadow Minister for Human Services

Shadow Human Services Minister Senator Helen Coonan has slammed the Labor Government’s non-commitment to carers and their families, labelling last night’s Budget as “hypocritical for not delivering on long term promises to carers”.

Earlier this year, amid speculation that carers payments would be cut completely, Kevin Rudd ensured that carers would be well looked after.

Instead, in last night’s Budget, the Rudd Government simply announced yet another inquiry – this time into providing long term support for carers.

Carers are the hardest working families. The Rudd Government built up the expectations of carers, but this has now been shattered with last night’s Budget announcement.

“Last night’s Budget revealed that, once again, the best idea Labor can manage is another inquiry,” Senator Coonan said.

Monday night’s Four Corners program featured a special on carers in which the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous affairs, Jenny Macklin asserted,

“What we’ve also said is we want to put the bonuses onto a much firmer footing so you’ll have to wait for the Budget to see what we have to say about that, but we do understand that carers don’t want to be in a position every year of not necessarily knowing exactly what’s going to happen.”

With the rising cost of fuel, groceries and medical services, carers more than ever were relying on the Government to step in and lend a helping hand.

Carers save the Government approximately $30.5 billion each year. Labor’s Budget has stunned Carers Australia, with the organisation lashing out at the Rudd Government saying “Carers are not the cause of inflation - they are victims of it”, and criticising the Government for not setting up a nation building fund for carers.

This is a Budget of confusion – a Budget that confirms Labor has no real idea how to deal with the economic challenges facing Australia. Carers Australia rightly points out the impact substantial shortages of carers in the future will have on the health system and the economy.