Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) | Hansard source

This is a very important question from Senator Hughes. We understand the importance of accessing respite care, because we understand that people do need a break. That's why we have invested almost $500 million in these reforms that, as I said, will deliver a fivefold increase in the kind of support that is able to be provided to our carers. This investment includes an $84.3 million investment in the 2019-20 budget to increase respite service for carers and to provide more support, particularly for young carers. The funding provides for additional complementary, short-term and emergency respite for carers, because we recognise the interdependency between the needs of carers and the needs of the people who care for them. We understand that only a strong, responsible budget will deliver this for our unpaid carers, and we will provide the certainty and stability to enable unpaid carers to continue their valuable work.