Elliot slams MP over carer cuts

Tweed MP Geoff Provest.

Blainey Woodham

RICHMOND MP Justine Elliot has slammed Tweed MP Geoff Provest for cuts to foster care payments.

The NSW government has slashed $213 a fortnight from the payments of foster carers who look after teenagers aged 16 and over.

Mrs Elliot said the cuts were a "cruel attack" on people who open up their homes to young people in need.

"They give them their time, their energy and financial support and Geoff Provest's heartless reaction is to cut their payments," Mrs Elliot said.

Mr Provest has blamed the $1.9 billion deficit in the department of family and community services left behind by the former Labor government.

He said the decision wasn't taken lightly.

"Some hard decisions needed to be taken and it was done after a great deal of soul searching," Mr Provest said.

"If any people in this region are deeply affected by this I ask them to contact my office and I will make direct approaches to the minister."

Mrs Elliot said the federal government had plans to boost family payments by up to $4200 a year for teenagers aged 16-19 in school or training, including those in foster care.

"I understand the important role local foster carers play in our community," she said.

"It's time Geoff Provest understood it too."