Media Release by The Hon Mal Brough MP

Help for families to plan future care arrangements

Australian Government will provide funding of $4 million to assist nearly 9,000 ageing parents or family members caring for disabled sons or daughters plan for the future.

Minister for Family and Community Services, Mal Brough, today announced seven organisations which have secured funding over three years to deliver information, support, counselling and mediation services.

"Many of these parents are older, long-term carers and realise they need to prepare for a time when they will no longer be able to provide care for their son or daughter," Mr Brough said.

"These organisations will provide support and advice to families to help them develop a plan for the future care of their son or daughter, providing peace of mind to parents and continuity of care for the person with disability.

"I congratulate these organisations which will deliver increased support services to families and enable a smooth transition when they are no longer able to be the primary caregiver.

"This funding is part of a four-year, $230.5 million commitment by the Howard Government to support families to make private financial provision for the care of a son or daughter with a severe disability," Mr Brough said.

The successful organisations are delivering services under the Family Relationship Services Program, which aims to support children and their families to develop safe, secure and nurturing family relationships.

In the 2006-07 year the Howard Government has committed more than $114 million to the Family Relationship Services Program.

Attached is the list of the seven successful organisations.

The successful organisations are:

  • Centacare Canberra – Goulburn, Australian Capital Territory
  • Interrelate Family Centres – New South Wales
  • Centacare Catholic Family and Community Services – Queensland
  • Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide Inc – South Australia
  • Relationships Australia Tasmania – Tasmania
  • Eastern Access Community Health Inc – Victoria
  • Anglicare WA Inc – Western Australia

* In the recent selection process no applications were received from providers wishing to deliver these services in the Northern Territory. The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs will be actively seeking to engage a provider in the near future.