Page 3984 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 12 December 2006
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In the funding round, six projects received grants totalling $201,497. Specifically, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service was funded $60,000 to provide support and respite for indigenous carers. The funding also provided opportunities for carers to participate in activities to reduce the isolation often experienced by carers. Funding was also provided to the Youth Coalition of the ACT for a family support kit for children, young people and families where a parent has a mental illness or dual diagnosis.
UnitingCare Kippax received $42,000 for a program that provided respite and support to carers by offering free counselling, practical assistance to carers of young children and aged persons, and opportunities for socialising and participating in a buddy support system for families in crisis. Community Connections introduced a circles of support program. The circle concept creates support networks for families to consider solutions to problems they experience in everyday life, as well as to plan and develop directions for a safe and secure future.
Friends of Brain Injured Children (ACT) were funded to provide occupational therapists to visit families in their homes to assess and provide training in lifting and carrying techniques. Finally, Carers ACT received a grant to undertake service provider training that raised awareness and skills in relation to carer issues in the disability, home and community care, health, mental health, drug and alcohol, aged care, education, family and youth sectors.
I am pleased to advise that the government has also honoured another commitment to carers by ensuring a review of the legislative position. In this regard, included in the 2005-06 progress report are details of the actions taken up to June 2006 to implement the government response to the report on the review of carers legislation in the ACT.
The Carers Recognition Legislative Amendment Bill was introduced in August 2006. The bill supports the legal position of carers in our community, resulting in greater public recognition of the role and contribution made by unpaid informal carers. Key to the amendments, the bill provides a more inclusive definition of “carer” under ACT law which recognises the fact that a person will often have more than one carer providing them with assistance.
The bill allows for young carers to lodge a complaint with the human rights commission on behalf of a dependent person and recognises the carer relationship on equal terms with that of a close relative under the Discrimination Act. The carer relationship is also recognised in the context of the appointment of a guardian or manager under the Guardianship Act and support rights of appearance before tribunals responsible for making these decisions.
Mr Speaker, we have come a long way since we introduced the policy and action plan leading to better support carers in our community. Importantly, we will continue to work with carers to address, as best we can, the need that is still unmet. I commend the 2005-06 progress report to the Assembly.
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