Community members in the Electorate of Parkes have been urged to show their support for National Carers Week from 15 to 21 October to show carers how much they count, Mark Coulton, the Member for Parkes said.
“Australia’s 2.7 million unpaid carers spend an incredible 36 million hours every week providing care and support to family members or friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, or who are frail aged,” Mr Coulton said.
272,000 carers are under the age of 25, which equates to around one in-ten.
“Around 856,000 carers (32 per cent) are primary carers – those who provide the most informal assistance to another individual,” Mr Coulton said.
“The weekly median income of primary carers aged 15 – 64 is 42 per cent lower than that of non-carers and carers provide 1.9 billion hours of unpaid care annually.
“The annual replacement value of that care (the cost were it provided by paid care workers) is estimated at $60.3 billion – more than $1 billion per week.
“Carers come from all walks of life, cultures and religions, and they provide care for a variety of reasons,” Mr Coulton said.
“Some are only children, while others are nearing 90. They may be spouses, parents, sons or daughters, siblings, friends, nieces or nephews or neighbours.
“Visit the National Carers Week website at carersweek.com.au to find out how you can join me in acknowledging the outstanding work of our carers.
“You can also write a personal message on the online ‘Thank You’ wall and show your appreciation to the fantastic carers in our community,” he said. 
National Carers Week is an initiative of peak body Carers Australia with primary activities funded by the Australian Government.