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Barry O'Farrells Cruel Cuts will Hurt Local Foster Carers

Senator for New South Wales, Ursula Stephens, today said that Barry O’Farrell and Pru Goward have shown their true colours when it comes to helping local families.

 

The New South Wales Government has slashed $213 a fortnight from the payments of foster carers who look after teenagers aged 16 and over.

 

Senator Stephens said the Gillard Labor Government was calling on the NSW Liberals to reinstate these payments to foster carers of older teenagers.

“This is a cruel attack on local foster carers and their already stretched budgets,” Senator Stephens said. “Foster carers open up their homes to young people in need. They give them their time, their energy and financial support. And Barry O’Farrell’s heartless reaction is to cut their payments.”

 

These cuts come at the same time the Gillard Labor Government is boosting family payments by up to $4200 a year for teenagers aged 16-19 in school or training, including those in foster care.

 

Senator Stephens said this boost has the potential to benefit the following number of Families in her duty electorates:

Farrer - 4800

Hume - 4700

Hughes - 3300

Gilmore - 4900

Riverina - 5400

 

“While the Gillard Government is boosting support for families with teenagers, Barry O’Farrell is ripping money straight from the pockets of foster carers,”

 

“Only a Labor Government understands the pressures on families and carers who are feeling the pinch on their household budget every week.

 

“Barry O’Farrell and Pru Goward are too busy making budget cuts to care about support local families.” Senator Stephens said local foster carers made sure teenagers in their care got the best chance at a brighter future.

 

“Barry O’Farrell is putting this all at risk. Local foster carers will go backwards and so will the children they support.

 

“I understand the important role local foster carers play in our community. It’s time Barry O’Farrell understood it too.”