The announcement today that six disabilities will be added or modified to the list that automatically entitles families to child Carer Allowance will bring joy to some families but not thousands of others who still stand to lose their allowance. It is only after weeks of pressure that Amanda Vanstone has been dragged kicking and screaming to this point. The announcement today confirms she got it wrong - but she still has a long way to go. As well as announcing the new recognised disabilities Amanda Vanstone signalled the reviews that have been on 'hold' for the last week would now proceed. She confirmed that over 5,000 families have already been stripped of their allowance. Among them are families whose children have cerebral palsy, ADD and ADHD, diabetes, asthma, and many other conditions. Families with these disabilities will have no relief from the announcement today. Conditions such as these have considerable time and costs involved. Many are only under control because of expensive treatment that the Carer Allowance assists with. The Minister is content to ignore this fact by continuing to assert that somehow children 'outgrow' their disability. The fact is the Government has tightened the test for the allowance - which is the central problem. As for the suggestion families are deciding to 'opt out' in their droves, Labor is concerned many are intimidated by the 30 page forms, which they believe are designed to ensure they don't requalify. Labor is firmly of the view that no reviews should proceed until the child disability assessment tool and forms are redesigned to properly account for the time and cost of care as well as reflecting basic community standards. Mrs Vanstone and her Coalition colleagues have a long way to go before they demonstrate they have a heart. Source Wayne Swan Press Release ###