CARERS will have the opportunity to question political candidates for the state seats of Mount Gambier and MacKillop at an election debate on Thursday night.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme, greater support for mental health and intellectual disability co-morbidity and accommodation for the disabled will be among the topics of discussion.
Carers SA will host the two-and-a-half hour event, with all 14 candidates across both electorates invited to attend.
Regional team leader Sandi Seymour said the forum would assist in informing voters on candidates as well as ensuring political aspirants had a strong understanding on the needs and struggles of carers.
“The cost of living continues to increase and we see higher energy costs and day to day living putting stress on carers, but the disability support pension has not increased,” she said.
“We also see issues with access to work and finding a job, as well as accommodation for people with a disability.
“With MyAgedCare and the NDIS, carers need information about how these systems impact them and the person
they support.”
Carer Rob Bawden said he hoped candidates would be able to provide tangible commitments that offer help and support to families on the ground at the grassroots of care and support.
“For a start, I’d like to see some action and not just words,” he said.
“Often people get pushed to write a letter to the minister about their concerns and it should not be like that, it should just work.”
The Carers SA election candidate debate will be held at Belgiorno’s Tapas Bar Room from 7pm.
