Media Release
19 October, 2010
This week is both Anti-poverty Week and Carers Week – how ironic
“Given that so many unpaid family carers live at or below the poverty-line it is a wry irony
that Carers Week and Anti-Poverty Week should coincide.’ said Mary Lou Carter secretary
of the Carers Alliance.
In Parliament yesterday the federal government announced some measures: it will re-
introduce the Carers Recognition Bill which was roundly cricitised by grassroots carers
earlier this year as ineffective and little more than legislated lip-service; and a National
Carers Strategy will be developed.
"These are meaningless measures because they will do absolutely nothing to improve the
lives of carer-families", said Mary Lou Carter, secretary of the Carers Alliance.
"Carers need three things to improve their lives: A National Disability Insurance Scheme
which gives legal entitlements to services to people with significant disabilities, a funded
network of carer-advocacy at regional, state and federal level and carer’s legislation like
that in the UK which gives carer-families legal entitlements to services.
“Carers Alliance represents the growing grassroots movement of carer-families and people
with disability whose reality will not be improved by high-sounding rhetoric and empty
gestures” said Mary Lou Carter
It is little wonder that carer-families have taken to calling Carers Week – Groundhog Day.
The lack of services to their family members with dependent disabilities means they and
their families have few of the opportunities and choices that other Australian take for
granted; like being able to work, to have financial independence and choose where to live
and what services will best meet their needs.
Carers Week recognises the many unpaid carers providing support and care for a family
member with chronic illness, mental illness, disability and the problems that come with
ageing. But without action to better their lives sentiment rings hollow.
Like many on fixed incomes, carers-families have been hard hit by cost of living rises,
particularly the cost of water and electricity. Alarmed at the erosion of their standard of
living the anticipated setting of a carbon price gives no comfort as further rises in the price
of utilities will flow-on and affect the price of all goods and services.
The last thing carer-families need is more platitudes and pittances. They want strong
effective policy and leaders with the moral and political courage to introduce reforms which
will positively transform the lives of people with dependent disabilities and carer-families
Carers Alliance is a registered federal political party formed to promote a better life for and
advance the full inclusion of people with disabilities and carer-families who support them
Contact: Marylou Carter, Secretary, Carers Alliance
Phone:
0425-363-421
NEWS 
