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Bath calls out delays in foster carer paymentsMember for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath has called on the Andrews Labor Government to fix a system that’s seeing foster carers being paid up to six months late. By Portal Admin - 8th September 2017 - Back to News Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Ms Bath asked Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos about some specific examples of delays in payments.
"Our foster care volunteers become the mainstay of a child’s life, and in effect they function to return that child’s life to normal," Ms Bath told parliament.
"An important factor in providing home-based care for vulnerable children is to be able to provide that safe and nurturing environment and to do so by also being supported themselves. Many carers are highly frustrated with the system, including the role of the Department of Health and Human Services."
"In accordance with the Victorian Handbook for Foster Carers, the care allowance contributes to the day-to-day costs incurred while providing care for a child in in their home. Daily expenses can include medical bills, activities, education, clothing and items that a carer often finds that they need to pay for. These expenses are in addition to food and household provisions."
Ms Bath raised specific examples in parliament after she and Shadow Minister for Families and Children Georgie Crozier met with a number of Gippsland foster care families recently.
"One foster carer provides regular respite care for a young teenage boy and has done so for a number of years. She was only paid last week; since January she was not paid for eight months of the year for her service."
"Another wonderful foster carer also had a similar experience. She was not paid for seven and a half months and as she put all of her details in on a regular basis, the money was actually incorrect and was short. Another person who was a full-time carer of a little baby since she was few months old was not reimbursed for six months of the year — six months!"
Ms Bath emphasised that foster carers are not motivated by the reimbursements and allowances they receive, but that the system should remit the funds that are due in a timely manner.
"All of these people tell me that they do not do it for the money, but we need to value these foster care families. We need to respect them, and I ask the minister to guarantee that these people will be paid on a monthly basis rather than having to go cap in hand to actually receive some return for their services inside eight months," she concluded.
Media contact: Shaun Lennard 0417 589 091
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: support@gippsland.com
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Victorian Landcare Grants offer $3.55 million to support environmental volunteers, funding projects up to $20,000 that protect nature, restore habitats, and connect communities. Applications close 23 April 2026. - Allan Labor government invests $860,000 to support and strengthen Men's Sheds across Victoria
The Allan Labor government is investing $860,000 to support 31 men's sheds across Victoria, funding upgrades, expansions, and new equipment to strengthen communities and foster connection through shared skills. - Tim Bull urges Labor government to stop costly brumby culling amid Parks Victoria job and funding cuts
Tim Bull urges Labor to halt costly brumby culling in East Gippsland, citing job losses, funding cuts, and greater threats from feral pigs, while advocating for more responsible taxpayer spending. - Danny O'Brien urges Allan Labor government to fix online rebate issues affecting CFA and SES volunteers' access to support
Danny O'Brien has urged the Allan Labor Government to fix the online-only rebate system, saying CFA and SES volunteers struggle to access support and deserve easier, paper-based application options. - Labor government delivers $2.73M Sale Hospital upgrade, modernising Community Services building for Gippsland healthcare staff
The Allan Labor government is delivering a $2.73 million upgrade to Sale Hospital's historic Community Services Building, modernising facilities for healthcare workers, patients, and students through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund. - Allan Labor government misled East Gippsland over Paynesville Road inspections, leaving "rollercoaster" section untested, says Tim Bull
The Allan Labor government misled East Gippsland by failing to inspect the problematic Paynesville Road section, delaying repairs and leaving the "rollercoaster" stretch untested for nearly three years, says Tim Bull. - Labor government's VicGrid laws pass with crossbench backing amid Nationals' warning of property rights erosion
The Allan government's VicGrid laws passed with crossbench support, sparking Nationals' criticism over lost property rights, silenced regional voices, and overreach. The Nationals vow repeal in 2026 to restore landholder protections. - Allan Labor government backs regional footy and netball with $1.5M from 2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program
The Allan Labor government is investing $1.5 million in Morwell sports clubs through the Country Football and Netball Program, while opening new grants to upgrade regional facilities and boost community participation. - Labor government slammed as Gippsland crime soars, Danny O'Brien warns communities are failed by weak laws
Danny O'Brien says Gippsland crime is surging under Labor, with major increases across all councils. He warns weakened laws, police shortages, and neglect leave communities unsafe, demanding stronger action and real consequences. - David Littleproud urges Labor to deliver interest-free loans as farmers voice urgent drought forum concerns
Nationals leader David Littleproud says the Drought Forum reinforced urgent calls for interest-free farm loans, urging Labor to act swiftly as farmers face worsening hardship, particularly in South Australia's dairy industry. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor government over delayed Morwell sobering-up facility, broken promises and lack of ministerial accountability
Martin Cameron criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to deliver the promised Morwell sobering-up facility, ignoring repeated parliamentary questions, leaving the Latrobe Valley without adequate public intoxication support. - Darren Chester welcomes Minister Catherine King’s confirmation that the Eastern Beach Road intersection remains a priority
The federal government has increased funding to $6.6 million for the Lakes Entrance road safety upgrade, but Federal MP Darren Chester says state government delays continue to stall the vital project. - Labor government backs Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve upgrades with major investment in cricket, football and community facilities
Works have begun on Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve, delivering oval upgrades, lighting, new changerooms, and improvements through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, boosting community sport, events, jobs, and local participation. - Martin Cameron questions Labor government for denying regional crime crisis and the ongoing failures of 'Bail Laws'
The Nationals' Martin Cameron has accused the Allan Labor government of failing Victorians with weak bail laws, after repeat offenders continue to walk free and regional crime remains out of control. - Allan Labor government reverses Newhaven Jetty closure following persistent community and Nationals’ advocacy victory
The Allan government has reversed Newhaven Jetty’s permanent closure after 18 months of Nationals’ advocacy and tireless community campaigning, securing a safe, accessible jetty for locals and visitors - Martin Cameron slams Allan Labor government over year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings
Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Labor's year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings, after multiple ministerial referrals left residents concerned about neglect, squatters, and ongoing government inaction. - Latrobe Valley still waiting for Commonwealth Games Legacy Housing, four years after Labor promise
Regional Victorians miss hosting Commonwealth Games athletes as promised Morwell legacy housing remains unbuilt. Nationals MPs Martin Cameron and Melina Bath criticize Allan Labor government’s broken promises amid worsening public housing crisis. - Tim Bull accuses Labor government of reducing fire mitigation work, misleading contractors, prioritising former timber industry assets
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull accused the Allan Labor government of reducing fire mitigation work, misleading contractors, and prioritising former timber industry assets over existing external plant panel workers. - Danny O’Brien says July-September 2025 data shows Labor continues failing Gippsland’s critical emergency response
Ambulance Victoria data shows Gippsland response times well below targets, with urgent calls for the Allan Labor government to improve staffing, resources, and performance to protect regional communities. - Martin Cameron urges Labor government to enforce tobacco licensing, protect Latrobe Valley businesses from organised crime threats
Martin Cameron urges Allan Labor Government to increase tobacco inspector numbers, enforce licensing, and protect Latrobe Valley businesses from organised crime threatening local shops and operators. - Martin Cameron urges Labor government funding commitment on Latrobe Valley mental health unit urgently needing expansion
The Nationals’ Martin Cameron urges Allan Labor Government to urgently expand Latrobe Regional Health’s mental health unit, citing critically limited beds and growing demand for timely care in Gippsland. - Tim Bull condemns Labor government for rejecting Jack’s Law, delaying vital reforms to prevent knife-related harm
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticises Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, a proven reform to enhance police powers, remove dangerous weapons, and improve community safety against knife-related violence. - Tim Bull criticises Labor government for mismanagement, volunteer cuts, and inadequate fuel reduction ahead of high-risk summer season
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull warns communities face extreme bushfire risk this summer due to Labor’s volunteer cuts, ageing CFA fleet, inadequate fuel reduction, and failure to implement Royal Commission recommendations. - Danny O'Brien urges Labor government to fund new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel for community safety
Danny O'Brien urges the Allan Labor government to urgently fund a new $2 million vessel for Port Welshpool Coastguard, ensuring volunteers can safely cover Corner Inlet, Wilsons Promontory, and protect locals.
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