Indi's carers may be left in cold

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, has called on the Rudd Labor Government to support carers and continue the previous Government’s carer bonuses for residents in the north-east.

Reports today have suggested that the Rudd Labor Government will axe these bonuses to our carers.

“I have said in the past that carers are our society’s ‘unsung heroes’ and they deserve this extra recognition. In recent months, constituents have stopped me in the street to ask if the bonus payments to carers will continue,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Sadly, it seems that the Labor Party has thrown compassion out the back door and if press reports are correct, carers will not receive this payment under the Rudd Labor Government.”

“Any decision to deny carers this well-deserved payment represents a callous assault on some of the most hard-working and vulnerable members of our society,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Society owes a great debt of gratitude to our carers, and the 2,696 recipients of Carer Allowance and the 669 recipients of Carer Payment in Indi who will receive this bonus clearly deserve this important extra recognition.”

The previous Coalition Government provided the carer’s bonus to recipients of Carer’s Payment and Carer’s Allowance over the last four years.

The payment was made to our carers who receive Carer Payment and Carer Allowance and offered them $1000 and $600 respectively,” Mrs Mirabella said.

These bonus payments to carers did not effect their entitlements nor is the bonus payment taxed.

“I call on the Rudd Labor Government to support our carers and continue the previous Government’s commitment to these carer bonus payments,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.