Carers Australia welcomes the report delivered by the Inquiry into the Recognition of Unpaid Carers committee.
The Committee investigated the challenges unpaid carers face and options for amending the Carer Recognition Act 2010 and made 22 recommendations addressing the urgent need for Australia’s 3 million unpaid carers to be better supported.
Carers Australia is particularly pleased to see the recommendation for the Australian Government to conduct a review of the Carer Recognition Act to encourage meaningful change in how carers are
recognised including by the services they interact with. These reviews are vital to making tangible changes for the rights of carers to improve financial, health and wellbeing outcomes for carers.
Recommendations to improve respite care options that are appropriate for a range of diverse carers and the people they care for, as well as recognising the impact caring has on paid employment, are also welcomed.
Carers Australia CEO Annabel Reid said:
“These recommendations are a positive step towards recognising the financial and emotional impact being an unpaid carer has on thousands of Australians and speak to many of the issues we’ve laid out to the committee and the Government.
“We thank The Hon Minister Rishworth MP, Minister for Social Services, for her referral of the inquiry. We now look to the government to implement these recommendations and do something tangible to best support and recognise the contributions of carers. We look forward to working closely with government to see these recommendations realised.”
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs launched the Inquiry into the Recognition of Unpaid Carers following a referral from The Hon Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services. The committee examined the challenges faced by unpaid carers and options for reforming the Carer Recognition Act 2010.
Submissions were made to the committee by carers and organisations and evidence given at public hearings. The Inquiry was led by the late Peta Murphy MP, who was committed to making a difference to the lives of unpaid carers.