Jill Hall (Shortland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday, 26 October, was Grandparents Day. It was an opportunity for communities throughout Australia to thank grandparents for the fine work that they do within our community. Each and every day parents rely on grandparents to provide support with their children. Grandparents contribute in so many different ways to the lives of their grandchildren, and it is really appropriate that yesterday communities throughout Australia came out and thanked grandparents for what they contribute to our society. When I was at the Marine Rescue Open Day—the day I mentioned earlier—one grandparent came up to me and told me just how important this was for her.

But, unfortunately, some grandparent programs—programs where grandparents are caring for their grandchildren and are being the carers—are being cut. The funding to those programs have been cut. I find that very upsetting. One of the really fantastic programs that has operated in the Shortland electorate has been operated by the Samaritans. It was only today that the coordinator of that program came into my office and expressed her concern at this government cutting that program.