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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Tuesday, 3 August 2004) . . Page.. 3353 ..

In the 2004-05 financial year the government proposes to develop a multidisciplinary training and resource manual, including audiovisual material. The government will also implement a range of actions in relation to respite care, implement a broad range of initiatives in relation to social isolation and implement a communication strategy to raise awareness of elder abuse prevention and available services. This government has made enormous progress in implementing all the Assembly’s recommendations. As I said earlier, the ACT is acknowledged as being at the forefront of elder abuse prevention in Australia. In that context this government is taking a leading role in the establishment of a national elder abuse prevention working group.

The ACT government recognises that older people have diverse circumstances and needs. While some older people need additional support for themselves, many also provide support for others, including their partners or adult sons or daughters with a disability. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 1998, 4,300 carers in the ACT were aged 65 and over, which represents 10 per cent of all carers. That number and proportion are likely to grow as the population ages. In response to that, in December 2003 Mr Wood tabled a comprehensive Caring for Carers policy, which seeks to recognise and support all carers in the ACT, but in particular it acknowledges the special circumstances of the 4,300 carers in the ACT who are aged 65 years and over.

Mr Wood, through his department, is managing the implementation of the Caring for Carers policy. Community consultation on a draft implementation strategy was undertaken from 31 May to 7 July. The government expects the final strategy to be released shortly. In the 2004-05 budget this government allocated $830,000 to support the implementation of the Caring for Carers policy. The first round of funding, which was advertised on 24 July, is targeted at projects that aim to improve the capacity, skills, knowledge and networks of carers and former carers.

Older carers have been identified as a particular and special target for the development of improved social and recreational opportunities. Disability ACT funds mature carers programs with three non-government agencies, Koomarri, Centacare and Community Connections, and those agencies assist 88 families in the ACT. In the 2003-04 budget the government has also allocated $1,700,000 for a range of programs under the mature carers program and it is committed to continuing funding for mature carer initiatives into the future.

The government also supports generic services utilised by mature carers, including a number of recently established respite programs for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; two respite homes administered by Disability ACT that provide respite for adults, essentially mature carers; and individual support packages funded by Disability ACT. That is just a summary of some of the initiatives that I am proud to say my government has initiated and supported in the ACT for the older population. Mr Quinlan will refer later to other initiatives.

MS DUNDAS (4.20): The ACT Democrats recognise the important contribution of older people in our community. Older people should be able to participate in community life, such as employment, with assistance from government to overcome any barriers presented by reduced mobility, health issues and reduced incomes. The proportion of

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