Start the Change

The NSW Legislative Assembly has passed the Carers Recognition Bill recognising the enormous contribution made by carers throughout the state of NSW, Shadow Minister for Disability Services and Ageing Andrew Constance said today.

The Bill is expected to pass the Legislative Council today. The Bill was introduced and passed in a bipartisan way after the NSW Liberals & Nationals first introduced the Carers Recognition Bill 2010 on the 12 March 2010.

The NSW Liberals & Nationals have introduced legislation into the NSW Parliament to give carers the recognition they deserve, and a direct voice to government.

The legislation[1] will give a powerful voice to some of the most under-recognised and hard-working members of the community. Many carers struggle in silence with the challenges they face, often as the sole full time carer of an elderly, disabled or chronically ill relative, spouse or friend.

The NSW Carers Recognition Bill 2010 will:

• - enact a NSW Carers Charter and establish the NSW Ministerial Advisory Council for Carers, which is to be co-chaired by the relevant Ministers responsible for carers; and
• - provide, through a carers assessment, for the interests, needs and choices of carers to be considered in decisions about the provision of services that impact on their role.

The majority of the Ministerial Advisory Council’s membership will be carers, ensuring that the issues faced by the 750,000 carers throughout NSW[2] can be brought directly to the attention of ministers, articulated by the people who know the issues best.

Many carers experience poor health and social disadvantage as a result of the enormous work they undertake, and often feel abandoned and unsupported.  Many are themselves older people with increasing care needs of their own.
Carers NSW estimates that carers save taxpayers an estimated $10 billion annually.[3] Carers contribute to public savings by assisting people to remain living in the community longer.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals endorse the vision of Carers NSW that caring should be accepted as a shared community responsibility and all carers in NSW should be recognised, valued and supported by the community and by the government.

The Bill brings NSW in line with other Australian jurisdictions including WA, SA, NT, Qld and ACT, which all have  similar legislative frameworks.