Mrs VALE —My question is directed to the Minister for Community Services. Would the minister please explain to the House the benefits that the assistance to the carers amendment bill will provide for Australian carers?

Mr TRUSS (Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) —This government is committed to carers in ensuring that they receive the support they need in caring for people with disabilities, particularly elderly Australians and children. In every budget since this government has come to office, there have been initiatives to provide benefits for carers and care recipients. In particular, the $280 million staying at home package announced in April 1998 provided tremendous benefits to carers. The assistance to the carers amendment bill will help another 14,000 Australian carers and result in a simpler and more consistent system for assessing entitlements. These changes reflect the government's commitment to providing a better deal for carers and to ensuring that they have support in undertaking their important task.

The government proposes that the carers allowance combine two existing payments—the child disability allowance for carers of children up to 16 years and the domiciliary nursing care benefit for carers of adults 16 years of age or older. These benefits will take effect from July 1999. There will be no income test, and they will not be subject to taxation. So these are real benefits. There will also be greater flexibility in ensuring that the benefits continue during periods when people are temporarily in hospital. I thank the honourable member for Hughes for her question and for her continuing interest in the needs of carers and those people in her community with disabilities, those people who need some support to ensure that in spite of their disability they are able to live in the community with the best possible care.

Mr Tim Fischer —Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper .