Victorian carers recognised
“There seems to be big promise out there, but what carers need is action,” according to Caroline Mulcahy, chief executive of Carers Victoria. Ms Mulcahy spoke to DPS News last week after the introduction of the Carers Recognition Bill 2012, which recognises all carers, including those supporting ageing parents.
“There seems to be big promise out there, but what carers need is action,” according to Caroline Mulcahy, chief executive of Carers Victoria.
Ms Mulcahy spoke to DPS News last week after the introduction of the Carers Recognition Bill 2012, which recognises all carers, including those supporting ageing parents or the frail aged or a person with a disability.
Congratulating the Victorian government for showing its commitment to carers, Ms Mulcahy says the legislation is a “good first step and brings Victoria in line with other states and territories”.
This Bill is the first in Victoria to set out “clear expectations” for organisations that engage with people in care relationships about how they should be treated.
Despite showing her support, Ms Mulcahy says the legislation on its own is “not enough”.
According to Ms Mulcahy, ageing carers need more support and respite services are limited.
“Parents caring for a child with a disability were once told they would out-live their child, now their disabled children are in their 50s and 60s and there are no plans in place,” she says.
“Whilst there’s not an open chequebook, some prioritising needs to be done, and this is something we will work on with the government.”
There are reportedly 700,000 carers in Victoria, with many more unknown as they do not classify themselves as carers, she says.
The legislation requires government and funded agencies to reflect the care relationship principles in the conduct of their business and report annually on the actions they have taken to comply with the principles.
