Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question. In terms of the specific question about how many young carers there are, I cannot help him with that number, so I will take that part of the question on notice—but I know the number is quite large. I have met with some of those carers myself and I have certainly been quite amazed at the responsibilities that so many very young people take on in caring for parents with a disability. It was quite an eye-opener for me when I met with some of them to see the responsibilities they undertook while trying to balance schoolwork and other activities. Unfortunately it means that many of them carry an enormous strain and have trouble maintaining social contacts as a result of their commitments to their caring role and I think it is important that we do as much as we can to support them.

I understand that invitations to the Young Carers Forum were designed to be representative. I do not have a brief on the selection method but I remember seeing press coverage about it and some concerns that young carers were not represented. There was a response, I think, from the Carers Association around the selection. I understand it was considered that those selected were representative of the broader carers group. It is worth noting that the government made a significant commitment in its package released the other day, with a large amount of financial assistance to support carers as recognition of the continuing economic pressure they face in addition to all the other responsibilities and pressures that they confront. I was very pleased to see that the package we brought in sought to address some of those financial pressures for them, but obviously the issues they confront are much broader than just financial. I think all senators would be supportive of whatever help we can provide to these quite amazing young people. If there is further information I can get on how the selection process occurred, I will get that for the senator. As I say, my only knowledge of it is from reading a newspaper report. I will take those parts of the question on notice and see if I can get him an answer.