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PDF printable version of Making Sure Our Carers are OK (PDF 261 KB)

Joint Release

The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing

Senator Jan McLucas
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers

Gai Brodtmann MP
Member for Canberra

19 March 2012

Australia’s 2.6 million carers will have access to emotional and psychological support into the future with the announcement today that funding has been guaranteed for counselling services for carers for an extra year.

The Gillard Labor Government is providing $7 million funding for the National Carer Counselling Program (NCCP) and the Carer Information Support Service (CISS), which will continue to be delivered by Carers Australia and its national network of Carer Associations.

In 2010-11, nearly 20,000 carers received support from these two important services.

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler and Member for Canberra Gai Brodtmann, today visited The Cottage in Deakin to meet with carers who will benefit from the guarantee of counselling services.

“Carers dedicate themselves selflessly to improving the quality of the lives of family members or friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are elderly and frail,” Mr Butler said.

“The care that they provide underpins the lives of many families across Australia and is often at a cost to their own physical and mental health. It’s important that we do what we can to support carers and reduce the social isolation they may experience as a result of their caring responsibilities.”

“The counselling services we are funding will ensure carers in Canberra can take time out and turn to the right support services when times are tough,” Ms Brodtmann said.

“The guarantee of funding recognises the important role that carers perform in our community, and the needs of the people they care for.”

The NCCP, with a budget of $3.4 million per year, provides carers with access to individual face-to-face sessions, or web-based, telephone or group sessions at no charge.

The CISS, with a budget of $3.6 million per year, provides carers with access to specialist information and advice, and emotional support as well as a pathway to counseling, support groups, education and training, advocacy, referrals and assistance in planning for the caring role.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Jan McLucas said today’s funding is part of the work being undertaken through the National Carer Strategy to better respond to the needs of carers, and ensure they have the opportunity to take part in all aspects of society, including the chance to participate fully in work, community and family life..

“Too many carers ignore their own health and emotional needs because they are so focussed on the needs of their loved one. We need to turn that around,” Senator McLucas said.

In addition, the Gillard Government will provide more than $1 million over the next five years to allow Carers Australia and its national network of Carer Associations to continue to stage Carers Week.

Carers Australia has received funding from the Australian Government since 1993 to coordinate Carers Week – an important event in our community calendar.

For more information, call the Minister’s office on 02 6277 7280