Carer Recognition Act 2023 (Tas)

Carer Recognition Act 2023

An Act to make provision in relation to carers [Royal Assent 20 April 2023]

Be it enacted by Her Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly, in Parliament assembled, as follows:

PART 1 - Preliminary

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Carer Recognition Act 2023 .

2. Commencement This Act commences on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.

3. Objects The objects of this Act are – (a) to formally recognise, promote and value the significant contribution of carers in the Tasmanian community; and (b) to enact a Carers Charter and a Tasmanian Carer Action Plan; and (c) to set out the obligations of Agencies to monitor and report in relation to the Carers Charter and the Tasmanian Carer Action Plan.

4. Interpretation In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears – carer means a person who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, or friend, who – (a) has disability; or (b) has mental ill health; or (c) has a chronic or life-limiting condition; or (d) has alcohol or other drug dependence; or (e) is frail or aged; or (f) is a child, if the person is an informal kinship carer of the child; Carers Charter means the Carers Charter set out in Schedule 1 ; child means a person under 18 years of age; Tasmanian Carer Action Plan means the Tasmanian Carer Action Plan, as amended from time to time, that is approved under section 6(1) .

PART 2 - Carers Charter and Tasmanian Carer Action Plan

5. Carers Charter The Carers Charter is set out in Schedule 1 .

6. Tasmanian Carer Action Plan (1) The Minister is to approve a Tasmanian Carer Action Plan. (2) The Tasmanian Carer Action Plan is a plan setting out actions to support carers, to be taken by Agencies, or persons, or entities, with an interest in supporting carers. (3) The Minister may – (a) amend the Tasmanian Carer Action Plan; or (b) revoke and substitute the Tasmanian Carer Action Plan. (4) The Minister is to ensure that a copy of the Tasmanian Carer Action Plan, as in force from time to time, is – (a) provided to the chief executive officer of each Agency; and (b) available for viewing by members of the public at a website of the Department.