Anthony talks to Roma families

Minister for Community Services Larry Anthony told the Families Forum in Roma, hosted by Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott, the Coalition Government did not shy away from community concern and has acted quickly on issues that directly affect them.”An example of this is the Coalition Government’s decision to allow a $1,000 tolerance for families who wrongly estimated their income for Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Benefit.

“This decision proves that we are a Government who listens, understands and acts,” Mr Anthony said.

“We recognised that some families would have difficulty adjusting to the new family payments system and we have allowed for that.

“Families have benefited enormously from the Coalition Government’s family benefits. 2.2 million families are now accessing more than $2 billion extra assistance.

“To add to this, the Government recently announced a 5.8 per cent increase in Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Benefit from the first of July. More than four million children will benefit from that rise.

“The Government’s $240 million Stronger Families and Communities Strategy and recent changes to the Child Support Scheme will also greatly benefit families.”

Mr Anthony said he welcomed the opportunity to talk directly to parents in Roma at the Families Forum with his National Party colleague, Bruce Scott.

“Forums like this one are vital because we need to know how people feel about Government policies that affect them and we want to be able to respond quickly to their concerns,” Mr Anthony said.