The state government has promised a package worth more than $50 million to improve the lives of Victoria’s carers if Labor is successful at November’s state election.
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Premier Daniel Andrews said the money would be spent over four years to help fund an extra 100,000 hours of respite care each year, and broaden the eligibility to include carers of people with a mental illness.
Labor is also promising half-price public transport for the state’s 736,000 carers, with the Premier saying the 50 per cent travel concession would help with cost-of-living pressures and make it easier to stay connected with their community.
Labor’s carers policy package, announced on Thursday morning, also includes $4 million for carers with a particular focus on regional Victoria, young carers and the LGBTI community.
Young people with caring responsibilities have also been promised more help at school with a new system in Victorian government schools to identify carers among their students and help them to stay in full-time education.
Disability Minister Martin Foley, who was also at Thursday’s announcement, said the policy package was in response to consultation with carers’ groups.
"Carers have told us what they need and only Labor will deliver it, with more respite care hours, more support services and help to ease the cost of living with half price public transport,” Mr Foley said.
More to come
