Foster carers
Matthew BACH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:30): (56) My question is for the minister for child protection. Minister, early last year the government was provided with another report – this time by Cube consulting – into the economic benefit of foster care, and since then it has been kept secret. Have you read it?
Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:30): Thank you, Dr Bach, for your question again in relation to foster carers, and can I again take this opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contribution that foster carers make in supporting some of the most vulnerable children in our community. I am aware of the report that Dr Bach is referring to, and it will at some point be released in the usual way.
Matthew BACH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:31): I thank the minister for response. I am unclear as to whether the minister has read it. It may not surprise her to learn that I have a copy of this report also and I have read it. This report finds that the economic contribution of foster carers to the Victorian economy is almost half a billion dollars every single year, which is unsurprising to me. Given this is the case, Minister, why do you continue to refuse to lift the foster care allowance, which today does not even cover school expenses or medical expenses?
Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:31): Thank you, Dr Bach. Again, as I said at the outset, can I acknowledge the invaluable contribution that our foster carers make in providing care and supports for some of the most vulnerable in our community. As we discussed, I think in the last sitting week and possibly on occasions before that, the foster carers in our community are indeed invaluable and are indeed supported by the government in a number of ways. There are care allowances that are provided to foster carers, and these care allowances can be scaled up on an as-needs basis for children who have more complex needs and for other children. There are also a range of other supports that I am sure Dr Bach is aware of in relation to the support that we provide to foster carers. There is almost $13 million for the continuation of the care hub trial, for example, which provides wraparound supports for foster carers and their families, particularly for those who are first-time entrants to care, and there are a range of other early interventions and supports for foster carers in our community. Dr Bach, are you interested in the answer or otherwise? No? (Time expired)