Push for grandparents to receive higher childcare payment

Increased pressure is on the Federal Government to provide payment to grandparents who offer care for their grandchildren.

Nearly one in three Australian families rely on senior members for support while they return to the workplace.

Queensland Senator Glenn Lazarus announced he had put the proposal forward to Treasurer Scott Morrison, who had pledged to consider it.

Lazarus adding, “They have to quit their jobs, they have to spend a lot of their time looking after these children.”

In response to the Queensland Senators proposal, the Turnbull Government is reportedly considering a plan that would offer grandparents financial incentives for looking after the children of working parents.

Due to increased pressures placed on parents, grandparents have become increasingly popular as preferring option for childcare in recent years.

Factors including the high costs of childcare and lack of available placements in childcare centers across the country have lead to Australian families relying heavily on grandparents to provide the additional support.

Grandparents currently are entitled to receive a payment of $35 per week per child. Many grandparents are forced to cut their own working hours or retire early to make themselves available to help.

Jacqui Lambie has also raised the proposal of a grandparent childcare payment with Mr Morrison.

“Many families are now leaning on grandparents to assist in the care of children while the parents go off to work because the cost of childcare in Queensland has increased so dramatically over the past few years,’’ Senator Lazarus said

Senator Lazarus said families in rural areas found it especially difficult to access childcare services and increasingly relied on grandparents for support.

Treasurer Scott Morrison has spoken out stating he is not considering paying grandparents to be child carers.

"For those who are doing the normal thing like my parents do and a lot of peoples' do then, no, the government isn't considering that," Mr. Morrison told Sydney Radio 2BG.