Guy Barnett (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

In speaking to that matter I would like to indicate that it was good of the minister to advise the Senate that he would take on notice the first part of my question with respect to how many very young carers existed in Australia today—people like Jazzi Pybus, who cares for both her parents at the young age of 10. The minister indicated that he was not aware of the answer to the second part but would also take that on notice—that is, explaining what answers the government has as to why the young carers are not considered important enough to have their voices heard at the federally funded Young Carers Forum.

I am advised, based on reports this week, that the federal investment in the Young Carers Forum is some $280,000. The minister indicated that he would take both those matters on notice. They are very important matters. They have been in the media this week and it is surprising that the minister does not have a brief before him to respond to those queries. I think that is a matter for the government and I hope that in future times in the Senate they are fully and properly briefed on those sorts of matters, especially when they are reported publicly in the media. In this case it was in the Australian newspaper this week. The answer to my supplementary question about what financial support families relying on very young carers receive from the $10.4 billion package announced on Tuesday seemed very limited and restricted, and in terms of very young carers there was, in fact, no answer.

I alert the Senate to the concerns raised in this article in the Australian, which said that the $280,000 in federal funding was invested in this Young Carers conference. It refers to the case of Jazzi Pybus:

Jazzi’s father, Calvin Pybus, has post-traumatic stress syndrome. Her mother was recently hit by a bus and left with multiple fractures. She has a baby brother with Down syndrome. Her friend, Angel, cares for a mum with bipolar disorder.

The girls wanted to attend the conference because they were themselves young carers: they do the washing, help young siblings get ready for bed, and manage the household. They formed a support group for young carers in their neighbourhood, outside Brisbane. They connect online, and have painted a series of artworks about their lives. The girls hoped to learn from others at the conference, too.

The report continues:

The Australian understands that Jazzi is the only young person to get in touch with Carers Australia and ask to attend the talkfest.

It is fantastic that they are making those efforts. I would like to commend Jazzi Pybus and her friends for wanting to attend and make a difference to the world. I notice that Senator Cory Bernardi, the opposition disabilities, carers and voluntary sector spokesman, said:

We should be supporting our very young carers. It concerns me that they are not receiving financial support. It’s alarming. They are a hidden group. To hear that children are banding together for support as there are no services suitable to their needs is disturbing.

It is disturbing, and I agree with Senator Bernardi and with Mr Tony Abbott’s comments. It is really disappointing that the government seems not to have addressed all of the concerns of all the carers throughout the country. They often have a go at the coalition for not doing enough.

What would have happened if it had not been for our campaign  under the former leader, Dr Brendan Nelson? I remember leading and working with the Liberal Senate team in Tasmania and forcing the government to do something to support carers in Tasmania. I worked with Janice McKenna, the CEO from Carers Australia, in Tasmania and, together with other carers, we expressed the very strong view that the Rudd Labor government were not doing enough. After weeks and months they finally acted. Of course, this is exactly what has happened with this $4.8 billion package that has just recently been announced. I call on the government to disclose the assumptions, the forward estimates, the details underlying their reasons for that package. (Time expired)