A TOOLKIT: How Carers in Western Australia Can Advocate for Change

A TOOLKIT: How carers in Western Australia can advocate for change

www.caringfairly.org.au Caring Fairly is represented in WA by: www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly @caringfairly WHO WE ARE Caring Fairly is a national campaign led by unpaid carers and specialist organisations that support and advocate for their rights. Launched in August 2018 and coordinated by Mind Australia, Caring Fairly is led by a coalition of over 25 carer support organisations, NGOs, peak bodies, and carers themselves. In Western Australia, Caring Fairly is represented by HelpingMinds and Carers WA. We need your support, and invite you to join the Caring Fairly coalition.

Caring Fairly wants: • A fairer deal for Australia’s unpaid carers • Better economic outcomes for people who devote their time to supporting and caring for their loved ones • Government policies that help unpaid carers balance paid work and care, wherever possible • Politicians to understand what’s at stake for unpaid carers going into the 2019 federal election

To achieve this, we need your help.

WHY WE ARE TAKING ACTION Unpaid carers are often hidden from view in Australian politics. There are almost 2.7 million unpaid carers nationally. Over 850,000 people in Australia are the primary carer to a loved one with disability. Many carers, understandably, don’t identify as a ‘carer’.

Caring Fairly wants visibility for Australia’s unpaid carers. We are helping to build a new social movement in Australia to achieve this.

Unpaid carers prop up Australian society. Like all Australians, unpaid carers have a right to a fair and decent quality of life.

Caring Fairly is advocating for vital reforms needed to bring fairness to the hidden world of unpaid care in Australia. We need your support.

With your support, we can shape a new public conversation about the value we attach to unpaid carers in Australia, and advocate for the changes urgently needed by so many Australian families.

We can only do this together.

Join the movement, shape the conversation, and lend your support to the Caring Fairly campaign and coalition at:

www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction @caringfairly

www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly

WHAT’S UNFAIR? THE KEY ISSUES

There are 2.7 million unpaid carers in Australia, and over 850,000 primary carers.

Unpaid carers aren’t able to go on strike, but if they did, the Australian Government would have to spend over $1 billion per week on formal health and social care services.

Australia’s reliance on unpaid carers is unsustainable and unfair. Over two thirds of primary carers are women.

Many carers aren’t able to get paid work on an equal footing to other Australians. Many older carers retire with limited savings.

Young carers get a raw deal. Many children and young people who provide care to a loved one have poorer educational outcomes and fewer employment and training opportunities than other Australians. WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE? THE KEY MESSAGES Caring Fairly believes the Australian Federal Government must take urgent action to bring fairness to care. It must look beyond short term policies, and invest in long term solutions. It must drive a cultural change in how we as Australians, value the unpaid carers in all our communities. Ahead of the 2019 federal election, our three key messages are: 1 Government must invest in the long-term economic security of unpaid carers

2 Government must make it easier for unpaid carers to balance work and care, on an equal footing with other Australians 3 Government must make sure that all young carers can be identified and assisted

These three key messages are drawn from Caring Fairly’s 2019 policy platform. To read the full document, and our evidence base, visit www.caringfairly.org.au. TAKE ACTION GIVING WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CARERS A VOICE IN THE 2019 FEDERAL ELECTION

Within the next few weeks, Australians will go to the ballot box to elect a new federal government. Caring Fairly wants unpaid carers to shape the outcome of this election. We want to use our collective voice to achieve a fairer deal for carers, and a fairer society for all Australians.

It is essential that federal politicians hear from you to understand exactly what’s at stake in this election - in Western Australia, and for you, your family, and your community. Here are some ideas about how you can use your voice. Pressure your local senator to take action Meeting with Western Australia’s federal senators is a great way to influence the people who represent you at the highest levels of government. Senators hold substantial power within their respective political parties. Senators serve six-year terms in Parliament, making them the perfect driver for the long term policy changes we are seeking.

WA has twelve senators. You don’t have to meet with all of them, but you can ask for meetings with each, or with one senator from each of the major parties, or any senator that you’d particularly like to speak to - the choice is yours.

As a constituent you are entitled to request a meeting with your senators on any issue of importance to you. Here are some tips to make the process as easy as possible: • You can request a meeting by calling or emailing the senators from your state. You can also use the letter template attached in this pack for some ideas on what to say • Expect to wait a few weeks before the meeting occurs • Plan what you’d like the senator to know about your experience or situation and why you are passionate about changing things • Have a clear idea of what you’d like to ask them to do on your behalf - you can refer to the Caring Fairly key messages for some ideas • You can encourage your friends and family to sign the Caring Fairly petition in this kit and present this to your senator to show the widespread community support for change. • You can request a follow up meeting for a few months time to discuss and track progress on the issue • The more voices your senators hear from on this issue, the harder it beomes to ignore our voice, and our demands for change

Your Western Australian senators Senator Slade Brockman Senator Louise Pratt Liberal Party Australian Labor Party (08) 6245 3305 (08) 9277 1502 [email protected] [email protected] Senator Michaelia Cash @Louise_Pratt Liberal Party Senator Linda Reynolds (08) 9226 2000 LIberal Party [email protected] (08) 9477 5411 @Senator Cash [email protected] @lindareynoldswa Senator Mathias Cormann Liberal Party Senator Rachel Siewert (08) 9325 4227 Greens [email protected] (08) 9228 3277 @MathiasCormann [email protected] @senatorsiewert Senator Patrick Dodson Senator Dean Smith Australian Labor Party Liberal Party (08) 9193 5955 (08) 9481 0349 [email protected] [email protected] @SenatorDodson @DeanSmithWA Senator Peter Georgiou Senator Jordon Steele-John Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Greens (08) 9226 1750 (08) 6245 3310 [email protected] [email protected] @SenatorGeorgiou @Jordonsteele Senator Sue Lines Senator Glenn Sterle Australian Labor Party Australian Labor Party (08) 9481 4844 (08) 9455 1420 [email protected] @linessue [email protected] @GlennSterle WHAT’S AT STAKE THIS ELECTION IN YOUR STATE? Every election is often decided by a few marginal seats in each state. If you live in one of the following federal seats, it is worth contacting your local MP and candidates as well as your senator. If you are not sure which federal electorate you live in you can check at www.aec.gov.au. Do you live in one of the following?

Cowan Perth Hasluck Pearce Swan

If you live in one of the following: Check out the Marginal Seats Guide at the end of this toolkit to discover a bit about the candidates in your local electorate and how to contact them.

Engage with your local supports Whether it’s an online support group or one you might attend in person - let your support networks know about this campaign and why you support it yourself. You can share our posters, petitions or social media graphics with the group but don’t forget to explain your personal perspective as a supporter of the campaign.

Not sure what supports are available in your local area?

Head over to www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction and fill out the contact us form. We can give you some information on what supports are available through our affiliated support organisations. You can also visit our Western Australian partners’ websites directly: • HelpingMinds - helpingminds.org.au • Carers WA - www.carerswa.asn.au Host an event One of the best ways of spreading our message is through face-to-face conversations in a social setting. Hosting an event is also a really helpful way of engaging with other carers. The following ideas could be used to bring people in your community together to discuss this important issue. • A carers morning tea, hosted at your own home or at a community venue. This can be as informal or formal as you would like • Offer to run a social event as part of a carers support group or community group • Organise some friends to go with you to your local shopping strip and ask people to sign the Caring Fairly petition • Hold a carers craft afternoon • Anything that incorporates fun and social activities with activities to provide information about the Caring Fairly campaign Get creative There are creative ways to tell your story, and to be a voice for change. You might want to: • Write a poem; • Paint or draw; • Write a blog post; • Engage with your local community radio station; • Develop an outdoor display or mural; • Anything else you can think of that engages your artistic skills and expression.

Once your project is complete, be sure to share it with us online, through our website or the other links below. You can also tag us in anything you post on social media if you are posting it to your personal page. www.caringfairly.org.au @caringfairly www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly Use the petition

The Caring Fairly petition can be found at the back of this toolkit. It is a simple and effective tool to start conversations about this important topic, and to demonstrate to politicians the collective power of unpaid carers in this election. You can ask your friends, family, neighbours and online community to sign to encourage government to prioritise carers at this election. You might want to keep a copy on your kitchen bench or deliver a copy of the petition to the letterboxes in your street. Most people will be happy to support the cause but they do need to be asked to do so.

Please let the Caring Fairly team know if you are using the petition, so that we can help you maximise your local and national impact. Send any completed copies of the petition to [email protected] and let us know how we can support you. : Advocate online

Modern elections: are fought online as much as offline. Using your social media presence to share your story, voice your demands, and amplify the messages of the Caring Fairly campaign are important ways to get the attention of politicians, and advocate for change. There are creative ways to tell your story, and to be a voice for change. You might want to: • Write a poem; • Follow and engage with Caring Fairly’s social media channels • Paint or draw; • Share Caring Fairly graphics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can find these at caringfairly.org.au • Write a blog post; • Use Caring Fairly frames on your profile picture on Facebook. You can find these at caringfairly.org.au • Engage with your local community radio station; • Share part of your story online, and set out the reforms you want to see from politicians in this election (more on this • Develop an outdoor display or mural; in the next section) • Anything else you can think of that engages your artistic skills and expression. • Create a 30 second online video (see below) • Engage in online support groups where appropriate and let people know about the Caring Fairly campaign and how Once your project is complete, be sure to share it with us online, through our website or the other links below. they can get involved You can also tag us in anything you post on social media if you are posting it to your personal page. • Engage with politicians and political parties online to raise awareness of the campaign • Engage in respectful conversations on Twitter and Facebook about your experience

When publishing your story - be sure to tag Caring Fairly on social media so we can help spread the word. You can use the links below to share.

www.caringfairly.org.au @caringfairly www.facebook.com/caringfairly @caringfairly

Not sure how or what to share online? Head over to www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction and fill out the contact us form. Someone from the campaign will be in touch to give you some advice about how to share your story online. Share your story online Sharing your experiences is one of your most powerful advocacy tools. It is one of the best ways to build a sense of connection and a way to captivate, and compel people to action.

Writing down your own experiences as a carer can be confronting, emotional, and traumatic. It is important to reflect on your own boundaries around what you are comfortable sharing with other people; be they your family, friends, neighbours, local community or your online environment. Tips to try in your storytelling: Always keep in mind what the purpose of your story is. What message are you trying to convey? Why do you want people to hear about it? This will help guide the shape of your story and give an idea of where the particular points of focus should be.

Don’t worry about figures, data or metrics to include in your story. The value of your story is in your experience and the perspective you have as a result.

You don’t need to disclose every personal detail. Sharing your story gives you power over how much you disclose and to whom. You can choose to highlight particular aspects of your story depending on your comfort levels and your audience.

Allow yourself some vulnerability. This gives your audience something to relate to emotionally.

Make sure your story includes characters. Although you won’t want to disclose everything about them, don’t gloss over the participants in the story and their point of view.

There is political power in voicing common experiences. Most people will find it very easy to understand issues as they relate to family, or friendships, or suffering, as they are universal human experiences. Use this to your advantage and focus on the most universal aspects of your story.

Finish with a call to action. What do you want people to do now that they’ve heard your story? What action do you want to inspire from them? Crucially, what do you want your elected representatives to do? If you share our vision of ‘what needs to change’, we ask you to use our ‘key messages’, found earlier in this toolkit.

Need help crafting your story or not sure how best to take action? Head over to www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction and fill out the contact us form. Someone from the campaign will be in touch to give you some advice about how you can be involved! Create a 30 second video Filming a short video on your phone is a great and easy way of sharing your story, adding a human face to this important issue and getting public attention.

Caring Fairly can help make it even easier for you.

Examples of short videos from campaign supporters can be found on our facebook page at facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign

Caring Fairly would love to hear your stories via video and help you reach a wide online audience. We can edit, brand, and ‘polish’ your videos, if you want us to. When you tag Caring Fairly on Facebook or Twitter with your 30 second video, we will help you share and promote your video.

We are collecting the stories of carers to help raise public awareness of the campaign and make sure a wide variety of voices are heard. We are asking Caring Fairly supporters from Western Australia to record a 30 second video of themselves and submit the footage via our Facebook inbox or email: [email protected]. Make sure you tag us if you upload your video on social media as well.

www.caringfairly.org.au @caringfairly www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly WA MARGINAL SEAT GUIDE: THE TOP 5

Caring Fairly is non-partisan and apolitical. We want to see improved government responses, policies, and commitments from all parties, politicians, and candidates. This information is accurate at the time of publishing and is subject to change. To stay up to date with election developments follow /CaringFairlyCampaign on Facebook.

Cowan

ALP Candidate: Dr Anne Aly MP Dr Anne Aly was born in Alexandria, Egypt and is the first Muslim woman elected to the Federal Parliament. During her first speech in September 2016, Dr Aly showed support for greater access to health services, saying “we need a renewed focus to ensure that every Australian - no matter what postcode they live in - can access services to help them survive and thrive.” She went on to say that “mental health services in Cowan and outer suburbs across Australia are dangerously scarce”. Email: [email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4876 / Electorate office (08) 9409 4517

Liberal Candidate: Mr Isaac Stewart Mr Isaac Stewart has diverse voluntary experience through positions as Chairman and Director of Lifting Horizons (Night Hoops), Committee Member of Midland Police & Community Youth Centres (PCYC) and Committee Mem- ber of Perth-Chengdu Cultural & Economic Development Association (PCCEDA). Mr Stewart said his priorities in politics are “empowering youth to make positive life decisions and supporting programs that break the cycle of disadvantage.” He has experience “empowering at-risk youth, promoting cultural harmony, creating employment opportunities and improving health and wellbeing”. In December 2018, Mr Stewart showed support for aged care issues by hosting Minister Wyatt and Senator Dean Smith at two senior forums in Cowan. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0431 228 323

Greens Candidate: Mr Mark Cooper Mr Cooper lives in Perth’s northern suburbs. On his website Mr Cooper says “We need planning systems that prioritise our community and respect local democracy. It’s important our suburbs have the services we need to live, learn, work and spend our free time in.” Email: [email protected] Hasluck

ALP Candidate: Mr James Martin Mr James Martin comes from a background in the finance industry. He supported Labor’s announcement in Au- gust 2018 that they will deliver Medicare-funded MRI scans for Perth’s eastern suburbs and surrounding regions. Further, in November 2018, Mr Martin shared on social media that the Shorten Labor Government has committed to provide an upgrade to the Kalamunda District Community Hospital to increase access to health services in Has- luck. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0419 907 035

Liberal Candidate: Hon Ken Wyatt MP Mr Ken Wyatt is the Minister for Indigenous Health and the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care. He was previously Assistant Minister for Health from 2015-2016 and Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care 2016- 2017. Mr Wyatt is a strong supporter of tackling mental health issues among the elderly and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. He has spoken out on the fact that mental health challenges are becoming more and more prominent among young Indigenous men and that more Government initiatives around mental health are required. In November 2018, Mr Wyatt held a speech at the “Tackling Aged Care Mental Health & Social Isolation Confer- ence” and publicly expressed his concern for how isolation and loneliness affects Australia’s elderly people. Mr Wyatt has also commented on his party’s commitment to continuing aged care reform, stating “This includes two major initiatives: Home care packages and a $5.5 billion commitment to the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). The CHSP provides entry-level aged care services for people who need assistance with house- hold chores, preparing meals, extra transport services, personal care and home maintenance. Previously, home care waiting lists were administered by aged care providers, but the Turnbull Government’s new national queue system has brought much-needed visibility and accountability,” he said. “With details published quarterly, the true extent of home care demand is now being revealed. Now, we know the true numbers, and we are working hard to extend senior Australians’ home care options and services.” Email: [email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 7720 / Electorate office (08) 9359 0322

Greens Candidate: Lee-Ann Miles Ms Miles is a Kalamunda local, small business owner. She is quoted as saying “For many of us, it’s getting harder and harder to make ends meet with rising power bills, housing prices and cost of living. The Greens will make corporations pay their fair share of tax so we can increase Newstart and properly fund better public services like schools and public hospitals.” Email: [email protected] Perth

ALP Candidate: Mr Patrick Gorman MP Mr Patrick Gorman was a former adviser to Kevin Rudd when he was Foreign Minister and Prime Minister. Since then, Mr Gorman has said there needs to be stronger focus on closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. During his maiden House of Representatives speech in September 2018, Mr Gorman prioritised public health, education, reconciliation, equality and environmentalism as pressing issues. Due to his history of chronic asthma as a child, he said: “I’m incredibly grateful for, and I’m here because of, Medicare and our public health system.” Email: [email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4995 / Electorate office (08) 9272 3411

Liberal Candidate: Mr Jim Grayden Mr Grayden has said that he aligns with supporting veterans and senior citizens since his father and former Liberal Party Member, Bill Grayden, is a veteran of the Kokoda war. Before entering politics, Mr Grayden was a teacher and manager of his family-owned business based in Perth. Mr Grayden stands for a better public health system with shorter waiting times. Phone: 0431 228 323

Greens Candidate: Ms Caroline Perks Ms Perks has worked in climate policy since graduating from Curtin University. On issues of equality and disability Ms Perks has commented “I want a world where people are not limited by where they are born and what circum- stances are out of their control. I’ve seen our WA Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John face this and overcome it time and again. We need a fair and equitable society for all, and we need more people like Jordon.” Email: [email protected]

Swan

ALP Candidate: Ms Hannah Beazley Ms Hannah Beazley is the daughter of former Federal Labor leader and current Governor of Western Australia, Kim Beazley. In her early 20s, Ms Beazley was diagnosed with a rare blood disease which she was able to recov- er from due to drugs listed on Medicare and PBS. She has stated that she “will always fight to ensure that all Aus- tralians have access to quality healthcare.” In January 2019, Ms Beazley promoted a Perth event hosted by Eating Disorders Australia, on social media, to help carers of people with eating disorders connect with one another. Email: [email protected] Liberal Candidate: Hon Steve Irons MP Mr Steve Irons has sat on the House of Representatives Health and Ageing Committee, Joint Standing Committee for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Joint Select Committee for the Royal Commission into Insti- tutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. In May 2018, Mr Irons showed support for the Turnbull government’s Try, Test and Learn Fund and its investment into youth mentoring and training for long term employment. During his First Speech to Parliament in 2007, Mr Irons stated mental health care and health care are some of the primary issues he aims to improve for his electorate. Mr Irons grew up in foster care. Email: [email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4337 / Electorate office (08) 9355 0099

Greens Candidate: Ms Liberty Cramer Ms Cramer is a Swan local of 15 years, a university educator and a passionate advocate for equality and the environment. Email: [email protected]

Pearce

ALP Candidate: Ms Kim Travers Ms Kim Travers is a mental health advocate, police officer and Labor candidate for Pearce. In November 2015, Ms Travers was promoted to Superintendent. She is now managing the operation of a two-year Mental Health Co-Re- sponse Trial and the WA Police Custodial Services and Mental Health Division. Throughout her policing career, Ms Travers has received an UN Medal, a National Police Overseas Service Medal and the Australian Police Medal in recognition of her dedication and service, specifically on mental health response. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0419 335 325

Liberal Candidate: Hon Christian Porter MP Mr Christian Porter is the Former Minister for Social Services and became Attorney-General following the Decem- ber 2017 reshuffle of the Turnbull ministry. In October 2018, Mr Porter urged carers in his electorate to join the ‘Verily Connect; Virtual Dementia Friendly Rural Communities project’ - an app which facilitates help for carers in rural and regional areas. During his time as Minister for Social Services, Mr Porter launched three trial initiatives from the Turnbull Government’s Try, Test and Learn Fund. Mr Porter said the initiatives “focus on helping young carers prepare for a future beyond their carer responsibilities and work towards meaningful and sustainable long term employment.” He stated that without the initiatives and change “1,800 current young carers will remain contin- uously on income support for the rest of their lives.” Email:[email protected] Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 7300 / Electorate office (08) 6296 7255 Greens Candidate: Mr Eugene Marshall Mr Marshall is a teacher, migrant and business owner. His parents were both healthcare workers. Mr Marshall says this instilled in him “a profound respect for the essential services that so many of my friends, family and members of our community rely on. The goal of the government should be to look after our community – not to profit off of it.” Email: [email protected] Help bring fairness to unpaid care Sign to show your support for greater fairness and recognition for carers.