Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to have Senator McCarthy's name added to motion 900 standing in my name.

Leave granted.

I, and also on behalf of Senator McCarthy, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) kinship care is the fastest growing form of out-of-home care in Australia,

  (ii) kinship carers provide the same vital service as other carers in our community – they take in vulnerable children who cannot live with their parents and provide them with a home,

  (iii) despite this, kinship carers continue to experience a marginalised status when compared to other carer groups such as foster carers, and

  (iv) kinship carers are far more likely to be older, experience poorer health and have lower incomes than foster carers; and

(b) calls on the government to:

  (i) support the unique role that kinship carers fulfil in protecting and raising Australia's vulnerable children, and

  (ii) work with the states and territories to better support kinship carers through positive policies and programs.

Question agreed to.