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Carers Australia has written to Channel Nine expressing concern and disappointment at A Current Affair report.
Carers Australia would encourage all interested carers to get involved in the inquiry. Submissions close 16 August 2010.
House of Representatives Family Committee recommendations to move the concerns of Australian carers into the heart of government are a positive and welcome sign that things can begin to improve for Australian's 2.6 million unpaid family carers.
The CEO of Carers Australia, Joan Hughes, said developing national carer legislation is a crucial step in ensuring coordinated support for carers nation wide. The best place is an Office for Carers in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The report, "Who Cares...?" launched by Annette Ellis MP at Parliament House Canberra on May 1, urged a national focus and recognition for carers.
"A national legislative and policy framework will be a major element in carer recognition and could provide the structure to develop policy, programs and services that better meet the needs of carers" Joan Hughes said
The recommendation is one of 50 contained in the "Who Cares...?" report released after a year and 1300 submissions from carers and organisations.
Joan Hughes said, "Carers Australia is pleased that the Committee saw the urgent need to address carer support. The Committee's understanding of the vital contribution carers play in our society enabled their comprehensive response.
"A number of the key recommendations included in the report will, if implemented, make a very positive impact on the lives of carers."
The Committee recommendations include:
"We need to see these become government policy backed by adequate funding with the wholehearted support of all government departments, particularly the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet" said Joan.
Copies of the report are available from the Committee's webpage.