Greens call for a Carer Card and HCOSS funding
Newcastle Greens
21 February 2007
You’ve got it hand it to them: Greens call for a Carer Card
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today joined candidate for Newcastle Michael Osborne to call on the Iemma government to develop a Carer Card and restore funding for the Hunter Council of Social Services (HCOSS).
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said: "Many Novocastrians are carers and deserve recognition and better services. Carers shoulder an enormous burden – they suffer financial stress, sleep deprivation and difficulty maintaining a job.
"The Greens are calling for a Carer Card in NSW, based on the Seniors Card model, to reduce financial stress for carers and promote recognition for the important role they perform.
"The NSW government is failing carers. The NSW Carers Program has seen no increased funding since it began in 2003. The program attracts $5.1 million a year representing $5 per carer a year, or $34 for every primary carer.
"A Carer Card would offer transport concessions, discounted goods and services, special rates to galleries, clubs and holiday venues and cut-price legal and insurance services. Eligible carers would be sent an annual Discount Directory outlining a range of discounts on goods and services.
"A Carer Card is a small but important offering, with a minimal drain on the public purse, that Premier Iemma should have the generosity to provide."
Greens candidate Michael Osborne said: "There are an estimated 750,000 people in NSW caring for the elderly, people with a disability, mental illness or chronic health problem. These people deserve more support from the NSW government.
"Funding for the Hunter Council of Social Services (HCOSS) has been gutted by the Iemma government. HCOSS is the umbrella organisation for many important social welfare organisations in Newcastle.
"At the same time as HCOSS funding has been cut, funding for the sister organisation in Community Services Minister Reba Meagher’s electorate received a massive increase. Again Sydney Labor is ignoring the needs of the Hunter.
"The Greens are committed to restoring funding to HCOSS."
