Our work with parliament
Legislative changes needed
- Amend the Carer Recognition Act 2010 to recognise all kinship carers.
- Pass legislation to rename the Foster Child Health Care Card.
- Establish a Commonwealth Informal Relative Caregiver Statutory Declaration.
- Review the Double Orphan Pension and institute an Unsupported Child's Benefit.
- Implement other relevant recommendations of the 2014 & 2015 Senate Inquiries.
The Federal Parliamentary Friends of Grandparent and Kinship Carers
Aims of the Parliamentary Friends
To provide a non-partisan forum for parliamentarians to meet and interact with informal and formal grandparent and other kinship carers both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and with experts and other key stakeholders.
To seek to raise awareness amongst Parliamentarians and the wider population of the existence of grandparent/kinship care families.
To promote the need for better recognition and support for all Australian grandparent/kinship care families.
To inform Parliamentarians of the latest developments in improving services for grandparent/kinship care families.
Co-Chairs/Contact Persons
Ms Tracey Roberts MP (Labor) Tracey.Roberts.MP@aph.gov.au
Senator Dean Smith (Liberal) senator.smith@aph.gov.au
Senator Dorinda Cox (Greens) senator.cox@aph.gov.au
https://www.aph.gov.au/about_parliament/parliamentary_friendship
Kinship Alliance Australia Board Members, Supporters (including kinship carers) and Affiliates meet regularly with this Friends Group.
Our Agenda with the Parliamentary Friends
from four States and ACT
We are working on:
Establishing a Commonwealth of Australia customised Statutory Declaration for Informal Kinship Carers
Introducing an amendment to the 2010 Federal Carers Recognition Act to include recognition of all Australia’s grandparent and other kinship carers (informal & formal).
Review of the Double Orphan Allowance to change its name, widen its remit and lift the rate of payment.
Implementing key recommendations of the 2014 Senate Inquiry into Grandparent Care.