Carers Week

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:18): My question is to the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion. How is the government supporting South Australia's carers?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:18): I thank the honourable member for that question because our government has a proud record of supporting South Australia's 250,000 carers.

As members of the house may be aware, last week was National Carers Week, which celebrates and recognises the outstanding contribution of our carers right across Australia. During the week, a range of events took place across South Australia—from Mount Gambier to Port Lincoln—to recognise that one in eight South Australians provide unpaid care to a family member or friend who is frail, lives with a disability, has a mental illness, or suffers from a chronic condition.

I was pleased to hear that the Minister for Regional Development was able to officially open Carers SA's new Port Augusta office which will deliver a major improvement to the services and facilities that Carers SA will be able to offer carers in the local community and across the region. We also saw the SA Carers Excellence Awards held, which recognise businesses, government agencies and other organisations who demonstrate excellence in supporting carers while engaged in paid employment. The South Australian finalists in the National Carer Awards were announced which recognise outstanding South Australian carers. I was honoured to join the finalists and winners of the National Carers Awards and hear their incredible contribution as carers.

Of course, all our carers are remarkable in their efforts each and every day, but these carers were particularly special. Two such carers were Sally and Samantha, who are aged 12 and 11 and who care for their mother, Anne, who has lupus (an autoimmune disease) and their father, Darryl, who had a heart attack in 2013 and has early onset dementia, and assist their parents in caring for their younger sister, Rebecca, who has autism and chronic epilepsy. These two young girls are responsible for caring for their entire family, which is an incredible responsibility in and of itself without taking into account their young age.

Without a single thought for themselves, Sally and Samantha have sacrificed their spare time and, instead, have dedicated it to their family. It is with Sally and Samantha in mind that I was pleased to launch our government's new strategic plan for carers, 'We care—our plan for South Australian carers'. The strategy builds on our longstanding commitment and support for South Australian carers and recognises that our carers have their own needs and that more can be done to support and empower them. The priorities of the plan address the need to:

support carers working in government agencies;

support carers' social, emotional and physical needs;

increase choices for carers;

understand the unique needs of Aboriginal carers, young carers, and carers from culturally and linguistically-diverse backgrounds; and

assist carers who are transitioning from a caring role.

Our government recognises the vital role carers play in our community, and we will continue to support them. I hope all members will join me in thanking all of our 250,000 carers for the selfless work they do to assist other South Australians.