On the 28th of August, the Minister for Community Services Roger Jaensch released an article recognising and supporting the vital role that families and friends have in supporting and caring for their loved ones.

‘Unpaid carers play a vital role and make a significant contribution to the health, wellbeing and security of their family members and friends who need support and assistance in Tasmania…

Carers are experts in their own experience, and I thank the Minister’s Carers Advisory Council for their collaboration in developing the refreshed Action Plan.”” – Roger Jaensch

As part of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, the Tasmanian Government has boosted funding and is providing $20,000 funding for a Carers Small Grants Program and $20,000 to Carers Tasmania to support Carers Week events. These grants come as the Tasmanian Government prepares to align with the National Carer Strategy.

The Government has extended the Tasmanian Carers Action Plan to 2025 and that the voice of Tasmania’s carers has informed the refreshed plan.

“Many of us will become carers at some point in our lives, or we may need care ourselves,” said Minister Roger Jaensch

The extension of this plan is to ensure the development of the next Tasmanian Carer Action Plan considers and aligns with the National Carer Strategy which is due to be released in December.

To reflect alignment with The Carer Recognition Act 2023, the refreshed Action Plan also includes:

• The incorporation of a Carer Charter
• Expansion of the definition of ‘carers’ to include informal kinship carers and carers supporting someone with alcohol or other drug dependence; and
• Outlining the monitoring and reporting obligations for all Tasmanian Government Agencies.

The refreshed Supporting Tasmanian Carers: Tasmanian Carer Action Plan 2021-25, is available on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website: www.dpac.tas.gov.au.

Information from this article was derived by the media release on 28th August 2024 by Roger Jaensch.