Grandparents want legal rights and payment for their care
Families Australia has released a report on grandparenting which recommends payments and legal guarantees for the growing number of grandparents caring for grandchildren.
Work pressures, marriage breakdowns, drug and alcohol abuse and lack of childcare places or affordability have all led to increased demands on grandparents.
One in five young children are now cared for by their grandparents and 98% do it for free.
According to the report, grandparents are calling for:
· Emergency payments from Centrelink when grandparents care for their grandchildren at short notice
· Greater access to Family Tax Benefit and foster care payments for primary carers
· A 24 hour help line
· Access to the childcare rebate scheme
· Training to help negotiate with welfare agencies and government departments
