Disability Access News

Gerard McManus and Natalie Tkaczuk Sikora
March 12, 2008 12:00am

KEVIN Rudd was forced last night to guarantee full bonus payments to carers and seniors in the coming Budget.

The PM's switch followed three days of repeated declarations they would not be worse off -- rhetoric that stopped short of guaranteeing the method of payment.

The sudden change came as carers and pensioners made a plea to Mr Rudd to be true to his word over their annual bonus payments, worth $1600 and $500 respectively.

"Any payment paid this year will be up front," a spokesman for the Prime Minister said.

The emerging controversy dominated Parliament yesterday as the PM issued repeated guarantees that the cash was safe.

But he would only go so far as telling the House carers and pensioners would not be worse off under any changes to payments in the Budget.

"We, the Government . . . are examining ways in which we can place payments to carers and pensioners on to a more secure, long-term footing," he said.

It also emerged yesterday that the bonus payments were not guaranteed by the Coalition had it won government.

The fine print in the Coalition carers policy said continuing payments would be considered "depending on the economic circumstances at the time".

Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson yesterday seized on the Government's failure to elaborate on how the bonuses would be paid in future, launching the first censure motion against Mr Rudd.

Dr Nelson claimed the Government had left 400,000 carers and more than two million elderly in a state of uncertainty over their future.

Carers of disabled children and partners said Mr Rudd must honour his guarantee.

Sally Bailey, who cares for 15-year-old son Daniel, said she never considered the $1600 payment a bonus, and remained angry about the threat to cut it.

"That money has always been put aside for when the big expenses come up, such as a mattress . . . or wheelchair," Ms Bailey, 39, said. "I seriously regret my vote in November."

Daniel -- who is blind, physically disabled, intellectually disabled and has epilepsy -- is just one of her responsibilities. Ms Bailey and her husband, a business services manager, also support their two-year-old toddler and two daughters aged 20 and 18.

Ms Bailey said the carers' bonus had saved the family from falling further behind each year and provided Daniel with much-needed funds for extras such as splints or specialist appointments.

"We don't consider this money a bonus, but a need," Ms Bailey said.

Another carer, Debbie Deery, looks after husband Alan, who suffered a stroke, a heart attack, renal failure and was on dialysis for four years -- all by the age of 44.

Since his kidney transplant three years ago, Mr Deery has suffered blackouts, which have baffled doctors, and has been unable to work.

"My wife and children have been my rock and we've gone through hell together," the Frankston North father of four said.

"God knows how many times I've found her crying, it breaks my heart."

Mornington mum Cathlin Sheridan says the financial stress is constant.

Mrs Sheridan said she had to resign from a promising career to become a full-time carer for Rian, 9, Kayla, 7, and Emily, 5. Early intervention is essential for children with autism spectrum disorder, and little government money is provided, she says.

"It would be disgusting to lose the bonus -- we are struggling so much already to provide the therapy they need," Mrs Sheridan said.