Letter to the Minister
The Hon Jenny Macklin MP
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Minister,
I am pleased to present the final report of the Carer Payment (child) Review Taskforce.
In March 2007, the Taskforce was appointed to examine the eligibility criteria for Carer Payment (child), consider its effectiveness as a safety net for carers of children with a severe disability or medical condition and provide advice to government by 30 November 2007.
After a wide ranging consultation process, the Taskforce is recommending fundamental changes to the eligibility for Carer Payment (child). The key to these recommendations is that eligibility should be assessed based on care needed and care provided, where that care precludes carers from substantial workforce participation.
The Taskforce is recommending an assessment approach that will provide consistent eligibility and transparency based on the caring load and the impact on opportunities for workforce participation.
Other key recommendations include the need for improved service delivery, better information and access to payment, changes to address the diverse circumstances of carers, consideration of the range of financial supports for carers and increased carer recognition at the national level.
The report details the process of community engagement, flaws in the current assessment process, relationship with other payments and opportunities for change.
Given the very significant public interest in the process the Taskforce recommends that the report be made public.
Yours sincerely
Mr A S Blunn AO
Chairperson
Carer Payment (child) Review Taskforce
30 November 2007