The ACT Greens believe:
1. carers make a substantial social and economic contribution to the ACT community
2. caring is a potentially rewarding role that should be undertaken by choice, and not as a result of inadequate social or health services
3. relationships involving the provision of care are a partnership in which both parties have the right to quality of life
4. carers have the right to equity in opportunity, particularly in relation to participation in education, employment and community activities.

The ACT Greens want:
1. increased recognition and respect for carers
2. support for the health and wellbeing of carers
3. stronger rights for carers, including the right to make choices and optimise their quality of life
4. a coordinated, well-resourced and strategic response to meet the needs of carers and the people they care for.

The ACT Greens support:
1. working with Carers ACT and other groups representing the diverse needs and interests of carers to inform government decision making
2. coordinating different policy areas to respond to the needs of carers , including the specific needs of young carers, mature carers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers and carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
3. assessing the need for further ACT legislative reform  to strengthen the rights of carers, drawing on work done in other jurisdictions and examining the potential benefits of a Carers Charter
4. initiatives for health and welfare services to review and improve how they work with carers, particularly at key transition points such as intake and discharge. This would include training and development for professionals in relevant service sectors
5. increasing services that directly support carers, including:
5.1. information and advisory services
5.2. counselling and emotional support
5.3. systemic and individual advocacy
5.4. training in life and work skills
6. addressing unmet needs for services in the areas of:
6.1. early intervention, education, respite and holiday programs for children with a disability
6.2. accommodation support, respite, day programs and employment programs for adults with a disability
6.3. residential and community-based aged care services, including day programs and home help
6.4. residential and community-based services for health, mental health and problematic drug use
7. recognising, through awareness and award programs, the contribution that carers make to our community.

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 30th, 2008 at 12:01 am and is filed under Policy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.