Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Payments) Share this | Hansard source

I to rise to speak on the tabling of the report of the Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into grandparents who take primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren. I echo Senator Siewert's comments, thanking Senator Smith for bringing this important reference to our committee. I also thank Senator Siewert, Senator Moore and Senator Bilyk, who all participated in this very important inquiry.

This inquiry took place over the course of seven months and we heard many personal accounts from grandparents and grandchildren. We heard evidence of the physical and mental toll the caring role can have on grandparents. We heard the stories of the often difficult circumstance under which grandparents come to this role. We heard of the significant financial impact of taking on the caring role, whether it be grandparents having to leave work to care for children with complex needs or cashing in superannuation to meet the costs of raising children, or reverse-mortgaging their home to meet the costs of Family Court cases.

What we also heard were stories of great love and care, of grandparents' devotion to their families and of the deep gratitude of their grandchildren. The quote from the evidence of Mrs Sharyne De Young from Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren WA, which opens the concluding chapter of the report, I think, encapsulates the evidence the committee heard. She said:

This road grandparents are on is long, hard, tough, bumpy, painful, soul-destroying and exhausting, but much love, determination and courage is given by grandparents to raise healthy and happy grandchildren.

The grandparents and even grandchildren who made submissions and gave evidence to the inquiry detailed the range of challenges that are faced by grandparent carers.

What was clear to the committee and is outlined in this report is that whilst every grandparent carer has a unique experience there are also many similarities in the struggles they face. And whilst there are a number of very successful services across Australia that provide vital support to these families, it is clear that these supports are too few and far between. Many grandparent carers slip through the gaps, struggle to navigate the maze of services and supports or are simply unaware of what is out there or how to access the help they need.

It is clear that this is an issue that both Commonwealth and state and territory governments must work collaboratively to address. Whilst the evidence received by the committee makes it clear that the number of grandparents raising grandchildren is increasing in Australia, the evidence also shows that there is no clear picture of these families. The committee heard evidence in my home state of Tasmania suggesting that an estimated 2,000 grandparents are taking primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren. But the number could be much higher. For this reason, the committee has made recommendations in relation to the need for better statistical data and longitudinal research on grandparent carers and their families. This evidence is vital to ensure that we can understand, recognise and support these families.

The committee also made a range of recommendations about the financial and non-financial supports which are needed by both formal and informal grandparent carers. I wish to highlight several of the recommendations which I think go to the heart of much of the evidence we received from across the nation. Time and time again, we heard from grandparents that they were simply unaware of where to start or who to turn to when they found themselves taking on the caring role.

At times of greatest uncertainty and upheaval, many grandparents found themselves without support and without access to information about where they might even start to look for this support. It is important to ensure that there is a comprehensive system of supports and services available to grandparent carers. But just as important is the need for information and resources for grandparent carers to ensure that they are aware of the supports available and know where to go to get them. Awareness and recognition within service organisations, government agencies and the broader community is also vital to ensure that grandparent carers get the support they need to raise their grandchildren.

Many grandparents who made submissions and gave evidence told the committee that they felt their role and contribution was not understood or acknowledged. Grandparent carers recounted challenges they have faced when dealing with government agencies, schools and other service providers, and also on a more personal level with friends and others within their community. Tackling this issue will be a key element of the response to the committee's report. I urge the government to consider the recommendations in this report and join with the state and territory governments to develop a collaborative response to the needs identified throughout this report.

I am proud to have been able to be part of this inquiry. Like Senator Smith has done, I thank the grandparents, grandchildren and organisations who contributed to this important inquiry. The contribution made by grandparent carers to the children for whom they care cannot be understated.

The words of a young woman who appeared before the committee at the hearing in Hobart highlight the gravity of this issue and why the recommendations in this report are so important. She said:

I think I was incredibly lucky to have [my grandparents] rescue me and take me out of that position ... If I had not been taken out of that position I would have died. I really honestly believe I would not be here today.

I commend the report to the Senate.