Policy

Supporting a caring culture

Queenslanders need to know that if they have special needs, they can get care and a helping hand when they need it. A core function of a caring State Government is the provision of help to the most vulnerable people in society and the State Labor Government has failed those most in need.

Our health system was once considered world-class, but under the State Labor Government, people no longer have faith in receiving even the most basic care. Likewise, mental health and the disabilities and child protection sectors are significantly under funded and neglected.

These “hidden” areas of Labor’s neglect are particularly susceptible and all too often people within these sectors just simply aren’t given a loud enough voice to be heard.

The elderly need more help, carers need respite, kids at risk from drugs and mental health problems need access to crisis care and the homeless and needy, regardless of circumstance, need a hand up not a hand out. This is particularly the case in regional and remote Queensland where problems can quickly escalate into crises with little or no help at hand and no one seeming to care.

The cornerstone of the Queensland Coalition’s priorities is developing a culture of care. This involves re-investing in the departments that deliver services to Queenslanders in need and changing the culture to enable these areas to work better.

It also requires decentralisation of services and providing support to those at risk and the tireless carers who receive little or no help from the State Labor Government.

Just because carers, youth, seniors and those in need don’t have well funded lobby groups to advocate on their behalf shouldn’t mean they are forgotten. The Queensland Coalition will redress this balance.