Eric Hutchinson (Lyons, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Newcastle for moving this motion today. National Carers Week is a time to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution that Australia's 2.7 million unpaid carers make to our nation. Carers make an enormous contribution to our communities as well as to our national economy. If all carers decided to stop performing their caring role, it would cost the country $60.3 billion per year to replace that support—that is over $1 billion per week or 3.8 per cent of our gross domestic product.

My home state of Tasmania is paying tribute to carers during this special week of recognition in a variety of ways. Our iconic Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra has organised a celebratory closed rehearsal of the orchestra today from 2 pm, which is dedicated to carers. Other events include morning teas for Men's Caring Friends Support groups in Southern Tasmania, and the state education department has asked all Tasmanian schools to get involved by hosting an event to celebrate and show appreciation of young carers in schools.

Young carers in particular contribute so much to our community, yet they often experience social isolation, poor physical and mental health and difficulties with participating in education and employment. Australia's 2.7 million carers represent 12 per cent of our population—that is an enormous section of the community who are taking care of someone else and who are largely unpaid for their efforts. It means that we probably all know someone who is caring for someone else. I think of my good mate Jane Wardlaw, who, by virtue of her muscular dystrophy, spends her life in a wheelchair. Without carers, both paid and unpaid, it would not be worth contemplating what her circumstances might be.

Indeed, over 1.5 million carers are of working age but cannot work because of their responsibilities. On average, carers spend about 40 hours a week providing care. It is estimated that carers of someone who has a mental illness spend on average 104 hours per week in their caring role. In my electorate of Lyons, there are 4,277 people receiving a carer allowance and another 2.295 people are receiving a carer allowance payment. But that masks the people who do not receive anything, particularly grandparents who are looking after grandchildren.

I note Ara Cresswell, who is in the gallery here today, and thank her for the work that she does on behalf of Carers Australia. I acknowledge the former Prime Minister, the member Warringah, Tony Abbott, and the work that he has done over an extended period of time in raising money on behalf of carers. Over $500,000 was raised this year alone. I also acknowledge Janine Arnold, the CEO of Carers Tasmania, and board members Jenny Branch-Allen and particularly Ellen Holmes from Molesworth in my electorate. Ellen is also a carer for her brother and her mother.

In the time I have left, I would like to read a poem by Philip Rush, who regularly contributes to the ABC Country Hour in Tasmania on a Friday. I think he says it best:

There are thousands upon thousands of carers in our State,

And I've had the privilege of meeting quite a few of them of late.

Some are only children, pre-teenage girls and boys,

But almost every carer seems to do their task with joy.

There are many in their eighties, as is a friend of mine,

In only thirty months or so he'll be turning eighty-nine!

He does the cooking and the cleaning and the caring for his wife,

His care's the most important role he carries out in life!

Its the same for many thousands who daily spend their hours

Cooking dinners, dressing partners, making beds and giving showers.

The carer's role is never-ending, seven days of every week,

But it's done In love and caring, no rewards they ever seek!

They're often hidden from the public, care quietly on their own;

You rarely hear a carer complain or sigh or moan!

You ask me how I know it; how I know these things I've said,

Well, I'm a carer also to the lady that I wed.

Back in the nineteen sixties, and she needs a bit of care,

Her head is quite undamaged, but her body's past repair!

A back that can't be mended, and her legs that struggle, too,

And many other problems which I won't repeat to you.

She cannot drive; it's hard to walk—a wheelchair's what we use

When going out, or to the shops, whatever we might choose.

She swims an hour each Wednesday, two hours of Aquarobics, too,

On a Monday and a Friday, that's all that she can do

To exercise her body, her commitment's great to see,

Since her health is so precarious, she's said good-bye to me

Three times when In the hospital since nineteen ninety-eight,

But she's survived these obstacles, her tenacity Is great!

So I'm chief cook and cleaner, but I don't do that as well

As Yvonne used to do it, as anyone could tell!

But my cooking skills are better, which doesn't mean that much,

Yet apple sponge and birthday cakes, and casseroles and such

Are now upon the menu which I manage now and then,

And I'm sure it's similar history for many carers who are men!

I could go on for ever, but I'll finish with this line,

All you carers who are listening, you're close to being divine!

Thank you.

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