Crook welcomes State Government Assistance for Grandcarers but more is needed
Posted on Friday, 10 August 2012
Following months of intense lobbying, the Member for O’Connor, Tony Crook MP, has welcomed the State Government’s recent assistance to Grandcarers but has said that it is not nearly enough.
Yesterday, the WA Minister for Seniors and Volunteering launched the latest edition of the Grandparents Resource Kit and presented a one-off grant of $127,500 to Wanslea Family Services Board, and $5000 to the Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren agency.
While Mr Crook welcomed the additional assistance, he said another resource kit and some one-off payments was not a long-term solution.
“I am pleased that after months of lobbying, this issue is back on the Minister’s agenda and that these inspiring community organisations have received some much needed funding.”
“However, a one-off payment and a new resource kit is a band-aid solution for an issue that requires a long-term and cooperative policy response that includes security of funding for Grandcarers.”
Mr Crook said this reiterated his support for the Grandcaring community, and for community organisations such as Wanslea Family Services.
“Grandcarers make a massive financial commitment when they take on the care of their grandchildren; they are often forced back into the workforce and find themselves ineligible to receive financial help.
“Just last month, Grandcarers in my electorate were forced to rely on the charitable nature of residents and business owners in O’Connor, to provide basic shelter for their grandchildren.”
“Organisations like Wanslea provide invaluable support to these Grandcarers, and I commend them for their ongoing dedication and contribution in my electorate.”
Mr Crook said that the State Government and Federal Government needed to work together to create a simple, long-term financial support system for Grandcarers.
“There are more than 14,000 families where grandparents are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren, this issue requires a long-term, cooperative response – and this needs to happen now.”
Mr Crook will continue to support Grandcarers and lobby the Federal and State Government to ensure these unique carers received the financial support they deserve.