New advisory council to support Queensland’s carers

The new member Queensland Carers Advisory Council has today (14 May) met for the first time in Brisbane to support carers and provide advice on caring issues to the Palaszczuk Government.

Minister for Communities and Minister for Disability Services and Seniors Coralee O'Rourke welcomed the new members of the council, which is made up of carers, representatives from carer organisations and representatives from key government departments.

“Carers make a significant contribution to the state's economy through unpaid work and to the rich social fabric of our communities through their dedicated service to the most vulnerable in our society, they help make our communities thrive,” Mrs O'Rourke said.

“As a society we need to recognise their contribution and try to improve our support for them.

“This is where the advisory council will play an important role – ensuring that carers continue to have a direct line to the government on matters that affect them.

“The Palaszczuk Government recognises the value of having experts provide advice on how policies, programs, services and strategies can be made more responsive to the needs of carers and much more effective as a result.

“I think it is vitally important we keep up the momentum established by the previous advisory council, which provided excellent advice to the government on a wide range of issues and initiatives.

“Carer members, and members representing carer organisations will be able to represent the diverse interests of carers across the state through this advisory council.”

Mrs O’Rourke said the council would continue to be diverse, with representatives across regional, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

“The membership of this council also exceeds the target of 50 percent representation from women on Queensland Government boards and councils,” she said.

The new members will serve for two years, meeting three times each year.

The new members of the Queensland Carers Advisory Council are:

• Mrs Teresa Pilbeam
• Ms Semah Mokak-Wischki
• Mrs Louise Jessop
• Ms Kirsty Buckley
• Ms Debra Cottrell
• Mr Gary Bourke
• Ms Sarah Mitchell

Four additional council members have been selected to represent the Departments of Justice and Attorney General, Education, Communities, Disability Service and Seniors, and Queensland Health.

For more information about the Advisory Council go to www.qld.gov.au/qldcarersadvisorycouncil.

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389