My question is to Senator Kemp, Minister representing the Minister for Human Services. Is the minister aware of reports in the Sydney Morning Herald that last weekend the parents of a four-year-old boy with cancer and a congenital heart malformation were denied eligibility for carer payment because the child did not meet the government’s medical criteria? Isn’t the boy so ill that he is undergoing chemotherapy? Hasn’t a senior Centrelink official noted that the case highlights a need to change the assessment criteria for carer payment? What action has been taken to assist the family? And can the minister give a commitment that the criteria will be changed to provide support for parents who have no choice but to stay at home to care for seriously ill children?

I thank the senator for her question. I have had a quick look at the briefing notes which have been provided to me by Minister Hockey. There is not a briefing note in my folder on this particular issue. I will get back to you as soon as possible so that you will have a fully comprehensive answer to that question.

Thank you, Minister, and I ask a supplementary question. Can I get some further information on similar situations? Doesn’t this case follow that of a further case of a leukaemia sufferer being forced to look for work by the Commonwealth? Wasn’t that decision overturned only after the family went to the media? Will the government now commit to a full review, given that the system is failing families who are caring for seriously ill children?

I would not wish to prejudge the answer that I will get. As I said, I will provide a comprehensive answer to the question you raised.