维多利亚州寄养基金被削减,威胁到脆弱儿童的稳定。 Victoria’s foster care funding slashed, threatening stability for vulnerable children.

维多利亚州的寄养照料者面临资金大幅削减,在儿童照顾需求从5级降为1级之后,每日津贴从133美元跌至34美元,影响到高需求和4级案例。 Foster carers in Victoria face drastic funding cuts, with daily allowances plummeting from $133 to $34 after children’s care needs were downgraded from level five to level one, affecting both high-needs and level-four cases. 对幼儿的最高两星期付款额下降到457.64美元,是澳大利亚最低的。 The top fortnightly payment for young children dropped to $457.64, the lowest in Australia. 在此之前,自2018年以来,由于家庭暴力和创伤,需要家庭外照料的儿童增加了14%,而现有的照料家庭数量在四年内减少了1 300个,比全国招聘率高出一倍多。 This follows a 14% rise in children needing out-of-home care since 2018 due to family violence and trauma, while the number of available carer households has fallen by 1,300 in four years—more than double the national recruitment rate. 照料者报告财政拮据,有些护理减少或退出,可能使弱势儿童处于不稳定状态。 Carers report financial strain, with some reducing or exiting care, risking instability for vulnerable children. 家庭、公平和住房部承认这一问题正在审查中,但没有提供公开的解释。 The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing acknowledges the issue is under review but has not provided a public explanation. 专家警告说,削减可能会增加对更昂贵的住房安置的依赖。 Experts warn the cuts may increase reliance on more expensive residential placements.