Source: The Bundaberg News-Mail [Joe Flynn]

FOR the past year Nanette Jones has spent eight hours a day looking after her 86-year-old mother-in-law Grace Jones. For her hard work, Mrs Jones was entitled to a $1600 carer bonus.

"It's just something that helps out, that we look forward to," Mrs Jones said.

But Mrs Jones like thousands of other carers in the region was appalled to hear the federal government planned to scrap the carer bonus.

Gin Gin resident Joyce Bradley, who is a former carer for three disabled family members, said she was "ashamed" of the federal government.

"I'm ashamed of them for even thinking of this, because (carers) need this money," Mrs Bradley said.

Outgoing Bundaberg City Councillor Mary Walsh advised the "pencil-sharpeners" in Canberra to re-think scrapping the bonus.

Cr Walsh who was a carer for her son for about 35 years said money gained from the bonus often went to equipment or medication for the person being cared for.

"They have to realise how much the carers of this country do for this country," Cr Walsh said.

When the news broke last week Labor MPs were quick to denounce it as speculation, but no one would rule out axing the program.

Families Minister Jenny Macklin said the bonus had never been written into budget forward estimates.

While Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard refused to deny the report, saying she would not comment on budgetary matters.

Member for Hinkler Paul Neville said Labor was picking on one of Australia's most vulnerable groups.

"More than 4000 people in the Hinkler electorate receive either the carer allowance or carer bonus a payment which was very important in purchasing essential equipment like wheelchairs and other items to help make their job easier," Mr Neville said.

Carers Australia chief executive officer Joan Hughes said: "Many family carers are living below the poverty line and the $1600 that they had in the last four budgets even paid for some of those very basic bills we all take for granted."