Tuesday, 29 August 2023

Ministers statements: carers

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:14): I rise to update the house on our new round of the Connecting Carers in Their Community grants program. There are more than 700,000 unpaid carers in Victoria, and they provide essential and unpaid support to loved ones with care needs. Many of our unpaid carers are selflessly providing care around the clock, making it difficult to find the support they need to look after themselves. My grandmother gave up her paid work to be a full-time carer for my grandfather when he became a quadriplegic. I personally understand and know the profound impact of unpaid caring on individuals, families and communities.

As the Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, I am very pleased to outline in this chamber today just one of the ways in which this government is backing our unpaid carers. This government is investing $900,000 in the Connecting Carers in Their Community grants program. The grants of up to $40,000 each will fund projects designed to enhance social connectedness and reduce the isolation experienced by carers. This new grants round will be administered by Carers Victoria, the funded peak body for Victoria’s unpaid carers, and will focus on prioritising support for carers in regional and rural areas, including First Nations carers, multicultural carers, LGBTIQ+ carers and all Victorian carers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Carers Victoria CEO Judith Abbott and her team for the incredible work that they do. Carers Victoria plays a critical role in assisting unpaid carers to support loved ones, including partners, family members and friends, from delivering direct support to carers through to the Support for Carers program. I would also like to acknowledge and thank our unpaid carers for everything that they do. This government knows that the carer role can be highly rewarding, but it is also difficult and it is tiring. That is why we remain committed to supporting and investing in our unpaid carers. Applications for the grants close on 15 September, and I look forward to hearing about the projects that will be funded through this program.