State election March 2017: With the state election just over the horizon, the Perth Voice takes a look at some of the policy announcements affecting seniors. 

SENIORS and volunteering minister Paul Miles has handed over almost $900,000 in a Lotterywest grant to an organisation that will co-ordinate research into grandcarers.

Mr Miles said Wanslea Family Services will study the experiences of grandparents and the grandchildren that are in their care.

“The Liberal National government recognises the important role that grandcarers play in providing guidance, compassion and protection to children,” Mr Miles said.

Inform

“The findings from the research project will inform the next steps and provide recommendations on how we can improve our service delivery and policy frameworks.”

In 2013, the Barnett government introduced WA’s first grandcarers support scheme which has provided more than $1.7 million in support payments to eligible grandcarers, in acknowledgement of the additional demands and financial pressures they experience.

Mr Miles also announced the launch of a new online legal resource – Grandfamilies: Legal Matters and Resources.