Foster and Kinship Care

232 The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON ().9 February 2023). Can the minister advise—when will the proposed new Carer Council, which will consult on improvements to the foster care system, be established and what will the cost be?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Child Protection has advised:

The Carer Council, as recommended by Dr Fiona Arney's report on the independent inquiry into foster and kinship care, is expected to be operational by 1 July 2023. Detailed costings are yet to be finalised. The commitment to the Carer Council sits alongside ensuring we hear from carers and are able to learn from their experiences. To support this, an additional $800,000 has been committed over four years to provide for enhanced carer advocacy.