The Greens are supporting grandparent kinship carers, calling for government carer's allowances for both formal and informal carers, and are the first political party in the election period to publically address grandparents' pleas for assistance.
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Under a six-point plan the Greens would ensure better support for all grandparent carers, a review of the Centrelink Grandparent Advisers, better access to respite and improved access to existing supports, improved data collection on grandparent carers, and investment in prevention.
Western Australian Greens senator Rachel Siewert called on the Federal government to investigate a carer's payment for informal grandparent carers.
"Grandparent carers who are in an informal arrangement with no legal recognition of their caring role often lack access to the same financial assistance available to foster carers. This means that many grandparent carers experience poverty and financial stress," Senator Siewert said.
"The Greens urge the new Government to investigate the development of an ongoing allowance for grandparent carers, with particular consideration to the unique financial pressures experienced by grandparents. These types of allowances have already been developed in New Zealand and the UK."
She said a rights-based, child-centred approach to child protection was best.
"Our child protection system has fundamental problems and the Commonwealth must show national leadership on this issue.
"The Greens have a plan for addressing the underlying reasons that children enter the out-of-home care system and we have a plan to support grandparents in their role as grandparent carers."
A key commitment would give $50 million over four years to First Nation children, funding projects that support families at risk of entering the out of home care system.
