“The government needs to be doing more to support carers”.

Local carers - the unsung heroes in our community - today with NSW Shadow Minister for Carers Julia Finn at Lismore Workers Club. 

The carers discussed their needs as part of a round table discussion, hosted by MP Janelle Saffin, along with representatives from local groups and support organisations in the Northern Rivers area.

Ms Finn and Ms Saffin heard about the innovative work of carers groups working with mental health carers, disability carers, carers of the sick, young carers and Aboriginal carers, and about how government can better support carers in regional areas.

“The sad reality right now is that many carers are not being cared for themselves,” Ms Finn said. “Reports have found health and social outcomes for carers fall far short of where they should be. This is particularly true in regional areas.”

Unpaid carers in rural locations spend on average 11 hours more a week caring for another than those in urban communities. 

Carers also experience barriers to employment. Only 56% of primary carers aged 15 to 64 participate in the workforce, compared to 80% of non-carers.

“These are statistics that must change,” Ms Finn said. “NSW Labor is committed to better supporting our carers.”

“In NSW, they play an enormous role and making sure our states' carers are looked after is not only the right thing to do; it is critical to our economy.

“Carers are unsung heroes in our community.

“There are 904,400 carers in NSW, including approximately 278,700 primary carers. Carers currently provide the majority of care in our state.

“In 2010, the replacement value of the care they provide is estimated to exceed $40 billion Australia-wide, which equates to approximately $13 billion in NSW – this number is estimated to have greatly increased.

“Our carers are doing so much with so little,” Ms Saffin said. “I know that many carers in the Lismore Electorate would greatly appreciate better support from the government.

“The main take away from the discussion was that the government needs to be doing more to support carers, particularly in regional areas like Lismore.”