Page 4634 - Week 14 - Thursday, 24 November 2005
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legislation to ensure that shared caring responsibilities by a number of people for a person in need of care are recognised. The six recommendations not agreed to by government are not supported either because they recommend legislative change that is not required to achieve the objective or because the government prefers another approach to the detail of the recommendation. For example, it is not necessary to amend legislation to ensure that carers are consulted in policy development, planning or review of government services. The government’s framework, the social compact, ensures that extensive public consultations are undertaken and that the principles that underpin the framework are adhered to.
The government supports the development of a carer recognition bill to amend some existing legislation to better support carers and their rights. At the same time, it recognises the various caring responsibilities provided to an individual by more than one person. The Department of Justice and Community Safety will undertake the development of the agreed legislative amendments, in consultation with my department. The government also supports the non-legislative recommendations in the report that focus on providing practical ways to inform carers of their rights and support them in their role.
As you can see, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, we have come a long way in 12 months. However, there is much more to be achieved. Recently I was pleased to announce the recipients of the 2005-06 carer recognition grants. The organisations that were awarded grants this year were Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services, to continue their project carer recognition which provides support and respite for indigenous carers and opportunities for carers to participate in activities to reduce the social isolation often experienced by carers; Youth Coalition of the ACT, for a project, supporting our family kit, which will develop a support kit for children, young people, and families where a parent has a mental illness or a dual diagnosis. Opportunities for young carers to develop skills to articulate their support needs and access to services they require will also be provided.
Another grant was to Uniting Care, Kippax, for their project, nurturing our carers. This project offers respite and support to carers by offering free counselling, practical assistance to carers and young children and aged persons, skills development for carers, opportunities for socialising and a buddy support system for families in crisis. Another grant went to Community Connections for their project, developing circles of support for mature carers and others, including those from different cultural backgrounds. The aim of this project was to introduce families and individual carers to the concept of circles of support. The circles concept creates support networks for families to consider solutions to problems they experience in everyday life and plan and develop directions for a safe and secure future.
Friends of the Brain Injured Children (ACT) Inc received funding to undertake their project, bad backs: carers lifting and massage training. An occupational therapist will visit families in their homes to assess and provide training in lifting and carrying techniques. Parents of children with cerebral palsy will also have opportunities to train in massaging techniques for their children. Finally, Carers ACT received funding for a project service, provider carer inclusive training. This project will build on work funded under the 2004-05 carer recognition grants and will raise awareness and skills in
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