$600,000 INVESTMENT FOR AGEING CARERS OF CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY IN WHITSUNDAY

_{17 August, 2009}

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The Bligh Government has announced $600,000 funding to ease the burden on ageing parents caring for a child or loved one with a disability in the Whitsunday region.

Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the funding for local disability support group, Compass Whitsunday would deliver on one of her key priorities, to provide greater accommodation options for people with a disability who had ageing carers.

“Older parents and carers have serious concerns about how their loved one will be looked after once they are no longer able to care for them – it is a legitimate issue and the Bligh and Rudd Governments have moved to address it,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Minister Palaszczuk said funding for the new accommodation to be built in Cannonvale was part of $10.5 million being allocated to 13 service providers across Queensland as part of the Federal Government’s Disability Assistance Package.

“Local MP Jan Jarratt worked with Compass Whitsunday on their application to ensure they were able to secure the DAP capital grant,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

State Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said the funding was a clear indication the Bligh Government had responded to the needs of the local community to deliver accommodation options for people with a disability and their carers.

“The $600,000 will be used to build a duplex which will house four people with a disability plus an overnight room for a carer,” Ms Jarratt said.

“The accommodation units will provide ageing parents caring for a loved one with a disability with greater peace of mind about the future.

“This clearly demonstrates the Bligh and Rudd Government’s commitment to providing infrastructure and services to Queenslanders with a disability.

“Compass Whitsunday contributed the land and furniture for the accommodation,” Ms Jarratt said.

Minister Palaszczuk said the Bligh Government’s Toward Q2 strategy was delivering fairer and safer communities – particularly for ageing parents caring for a loved one with a disability.

Media contact-
Jan Jarratt
4945 3343
whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au

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