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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-08-01 Daily Xml
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Carer Support

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:40): I have a very sensible question to the Minister for Human Services—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.S. LEE: The question is to the Minister for Human Services: can the minister please inform the chamber about the recent opening of Australia's first drop-in centre for young carers?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:40): I acknowledge the interest of the honourable member in this important issue. As she has outlined in her question, South Australia is proudly the home of the first drop-in centre for young carers. The centre was opened on 11 July at Morphett Vale, which is in the electorate of the member for Reynell, who was also in attendance for the organisation Carer Support. Carer Support has been at the forefront of support and advocacy for carers in South Australia for more than 25 years. That day marked a milestone in another major achievement for this highly respected South Australian organisation.

In South Australia there are some 30,000 young carers. Caring for a loved one requires a lifetime of dedication and commitment and can often deliver significant challenges. It can take a heavy toll on young carers, especially their mental health and wellbeing and their family life. It can also impact on a young person's ability to make friends and lead an active social life. Finding a safe place to take a break from caring responsibilities can be a challenge in itself.

The new drop-in centre will provide an opportunity for young carers to take time to recharge, seek advice and to meet and engage with other young people. It is a much-needed safe haven for young carers and also enables them to have some fun. With the member for Reynell, we were able to congratulate the staff and volunteers for their hard work in getting this centre up and running.

Of course, in a policy sense, the Marshall Liberal government is committed to improving the lives of South Australians with disability and to provide support for their families and carers. We continue to be guided by the South Australian Carers Recognition Act to review and improve services to carers and to recognise carers as employees.

Quite recently, the NDIS bilateral agreement was signed by the Premier and the Prime Minister, which guarantees funding and governance arrangements for the full rollout of the NDIS scheme. South Australia is the second state, after New South Wales, to sign such an agreement to ensure that South Australians will have more control and choice over the services and support that they choose for themselves. Through the old Home and Community Care program, carer support continues to be funded and the commonwealth government is currently implementing an integrated carers support service.

From September 2019, the commonwealth will establish a new network of regional delivery partners across Australia to help carers access new and improved local and target services. These services are welcomed and the Carer Support service is to be congratulated on this innovative way of delivering services to young carers.

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