Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (14:52): Recently I had the pleasure of meeting with Susan Alberti AC, the Chair of Carers Victoria, and CEO Judith Abbott to discuss the 1 million Victorians who are in caring roles. The support that carers provide is vitally important to Victorian families and contributes the equivalent of over $18 billion to our state every single year in unpaid work. It is an outstanding contribution, but it often comes at significant financial and personal cost to these carers. It can be unrelenting, and many carers feel invisible. Carers Victoria aim to ensure these carers are seen and supported through counselling, respite connections and educational workshops. They help ensure caregivers have the tools they need to balance their caring role with their own wellbeing.

We all have a part to play in making sure that carers feel recognised and can access a helping hand such as those offered through Carers Victoria when they need it. I look forward to working with Sue and Carers Victoria to change the future for Victoria’s carers.