In a move that has been welcomed by the Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, Victoria will soon have legislation that sets out clear expectations for organisations that engage with carers.
The Carers Recognition Bill 2012 recognises all carers, including young carers, kinship and foster carers, and people providing support and assistance for someone with a mental or chronic illness and those supporting ageing parents, the frail aged or a person with a disability.
Dr Sykes said, “The Coalition Government has honoured an election commitment with the introduction of the Carers Recognition Bill 2012 and I welcome the legislation which sets out clear expectations on the treatment of carers throughout Victoria.
“In my electorate, for example, there are many individuals who care for loved ones with a disability, people who open their doors to give young people a home and organisations such as Mansfield Autism Statewide Services who provide support for parents and their children with autism spectrum disorders.
“These people make an enormous contribution to the community and they deserve support and recognition for what they contribute,” he said.
The Bill will bring Victoria into line with legislation in other states and territories and the Commonwealth.
Community Services Minister, Mary Wooldridge said that the Bill will raise the status of carers and care relationships in the community and sets out principles recognising carers for their contribution.
“The Bill is unique in recognising care relationships. Carers and the people they care for are in a shared arrangement and if the care relationship is strong, the carer and the person being cared for will have better lives.
“This approach to recognising the significance of care relationships has been the subject of extensive consultation.”
The legislation requires government and funded agencies to reflect on care relationship principles in the conduct of their business and report annually on the actions they have taken to comply with the principles.
The Victorian Charter Supporting People in Care Relationships will be updated to reflect the new legislation and will support implementation of the Bill.