Carers week marked with reports, discussion papers
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, has announced that the Australian Government has released a discussion paper to inform the development of a National Carer Strategy during National Carers Week 2010.
The discussion paper – Towards a National Carer Strategy – outlines the Government’s commitment to deliver improved support and greater recognition for carers.
The Government is seeking the views of carers on how to achieve better opportunities for work and education, improve health and wellbeing for carers and provide better access to information and support
Carers Australia reported that the replacement cost of the care provided by Australia’s 2.9 million carers is a staggering $40.9 billion, amounting to 3.2% of GDP and 60% of other formal health care.
Unpaid family carers represent a precious economic resource in an age of growing health and aged care workforce shortage. The research report, The Economic Value of Informal Care in 2010, was released at the launch of Carers Week 2010 was commissioned by Carers Australia, and undertaken by Access Economics.
It is exceptional Australian research reinforcing the significant and valuable contribution carers make to their families, society and to the community, said Carers Australia chief executive officer, Joan Hughes.
