Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Hansard source

Senator, you will be aware that this is the third year in a row that the government have been able to provide additional support to carers in the form of a one-off lump sum bonus. We provided some $278 million in 2004-05 and $317 million total in the 2005-06 budget. The carers out there are well used to the support they are getting from this government. We recognise the magnificent work that carers do. Again, what we are seeing is nitpicking in relation to this budget. We provided very extensive support for carers. The Australian Labor Party last night went on TV and called this a Santa Claus budget. We prefer to call it a very responsible budget. The truth is that, again, carers are another group that have significantly benefited as a result of these budget measures.