Across the country, the ‘care economy’ — consisting of medical, aged, child, and disability care — employs over 15 per cent of working Australians.

This necessary industry is heavily aided by family and friend carers, who often forego paid work and take on financial and time responsibilities to take care of their loved ones.

Around 320,000 Western Australians provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who requires help due to illness, disability, or frail age.

Australia has an ageing population, making the care of our older generation a careful balance between aged care and utilising family and friend carers.

Many young people also battle long-term illnesses and live every day with life-changing disabilities, making their carers a vital aspect of their day-to-day lives.

They ensure the physical, medical, emotional, and social needs of those they look after are met, including providing them with companionship, driving them to appointments, and ensuring an appropriate standard of care in the home.

By filling the gap in the care sector, carers further help to support Australia’s strained health and aged care systems, meeting individual needs and advocating during medical processes.

The WA Liberals recognise that unpaid carers are an essential part of the community, and their contributions are indispensable.

Demand for care is expected to rise further over the coming years, making it imperative we support those willing and able to help.

The hundreds of thousands of carers in WA provide invaluable contributions to our state and the broader community and deserve to be recognised for their role.

Only a WA Liberal Government will ensure it happens.

The WA Liberals believe carers are the backbone of our communities and should be recognised for their contribution to the lives of others.

Despite the critical role carers provide for their loved ones, carers often face financial and emotional challenges, and often without help or proper support.

This care should be recognised and supported into the future.

While many carers have access to government payments and help, 57 per cent of those receiving government payments live below the poverty line.

With the increasing cost of living pressures facing both carers and those they care for, it has never been more important to ensure carers can keep providing their invaluable services and the benefits that go alongside them.

A WA Liberal Government will create a WA ‘Carer Card’ to recognise the work of carers across our state.

Based on the Victorian Carer Card model, this will provide concession rates, cost of living support, and discounts at participating businesses for those currently receiving a government carer payment (e.g. Carers Payment and Carers Allowance).

Savings in areas such as accommodation, automotive care, food and drink services, health and beauty, and leisure will alleviate some of the financial hardship often experienced by long-term or sudden carers.

We will also review the WA Carers Strategy as part of an overall commitment to carers across the state.

This will work alongside other programs, such as the Grandcarers Support Scheme, to support all generations in our state — every future carer starts as a young Western Australian, often learning the benefits of caring for others from their grandparents, family, and friends.

Western Australian carers deserve a government that recognises and rewards their selfless contributions to other Western Australians and the broader community.

Only the WA Liberal Party is committed to assisting carers across our state during the current cost of living crisis.