Alex Hawke (Mitchell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to record my support for this important legislation, the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Improved Support for Carers) Bill 2009. I want to add my voice today by way of some short remarks. This is an important area of endeavour for Australians and it is important that as a government we take measures to ensure that caring is recognised and that carers get the support they deserve with minimum fuss and trouble from government.

Within my own electorate I have become aware, anecdotally, of the important work that carers do. It is work that the government could never do or fund people to do in their place. In recognition of that it is very important that we understand that we could never afford to replace the effort and endeavour of this core of people who are looking after their family members and profoundly disabled people within our society. Therefore as a parliament we need to examine ways that we can improve carers’ access to benefits and provide them with the relief that they need to continue their vital work. Carers are often stretched to the limit or to breaking point. By its nature, the work involved in helping a person with a disability can be quite profound in its emotional intensity and it can take its toll. We need to find mechanisms to help carers to get some relief and to have time off.  That is a particularly important government endeavour. Where we cannot afford to subsidise or provide an income for carers because of the enormous cost involved, we ought to be able to ensure they get adequate relief and that they are supported in their work.

It is good to note from the provisions of this legislation and from many of the amendments that some of the rigid medical criteria will be abolished. I think that is a recognition of the very real, human circumstances that people find themselves in, which cannot be defined by government legislation or by criteria. This is an area where common sense needs to be applied. Red tape and bureaucracy have their place in various areas of federal government endeavour, but in these very real, human situations we do need to take a step down and consider the impact upon the carer and the profoundly disabled people and others in need of care. I think this legislation is an improvement on the current arrangements.

The committee is to be congratulated on its endeavours in conducting its inquiry and handing down its report. There is much more that could be said about this legislation. The simplification of access to support is a particularly worthwhile endeavour which I think all members in this place would support.

We have heard many speakers here today record their overwhelming recognition of the fact that carers do so much important work in our community. We recognise that carers provide the Commonwealth and our society with a service that government could not provide, and we need to assist them and make things easier for them. No government could afford to pay for the work that is done by these carers.

I conclude by saying that as a member in this place I am very grateful that all governments are taking measures to ensure that the work of carers is recognised. For many years in this country this area of endeavour either was not recognised or saw little active consideration, and this is a major improvement. We now understand the work that carers do, we understand its importance, we understand the cost implications for the Commonwealth and we are taking active measures to make it simpler for carers to access support. This legislation has the full support of the opposition. We look forward to seeing a simpler and better system in place for carers to access support from the government.

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