Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Kemp, Minister representing the Minister for Human Services. Is the minister aware of reports in the Sydney Morning Herald that last weekend the parents of a four-year-old boy with cancer and a congenital heart malformation were denied eligibility for carer payment because the child did not meet the government’s medical criteria? Isn’t the boy so ill that he is undergoing chemotherapy? Hasn’t a senior Centrelink official noted that the case highlights a need to change the assessment criteria for carer payment? What action has been taken to assist the family? And can the minister give a commitment that the criteria will be changed to provide support for parents who have no choice but to stay at home to care for seriously ill children?

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

I thank the senator for her question. I have had a quick look at the briefing notes which have been provided to me by Minister Hockey. There is not a briefing note in my folder on this particular issue. I will get back to you as soon as possible so that you will have a fully comprehensive answer to that question.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, and I ask a supplementary question. Can I get some further information on similar situations? Doesn’t this case follow that of a further case of a leukaemia sufferer being forced to look for work by the Commonwealth? Wasn’t that decision overturned only after the family went to the media? Will the government now commit to a full review, given that the system is failing families who are caring for seriously ill children?

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

I would not wish to prejudge the answer that I will get. As I said, I will provide a comprehensive answer to the question you raised.