Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge declared the Carers Recognition Bill 2012 would honour young carers, kinship and foster carers, people providing support and assistance for someone with a mental or chronic illness, and those supporting ageing parents, the frail aged or a person with a disability.

What a wonderful group of people.

Carers play a hugely important but often silent role in any community.

The majority are committed to making a difference to the lives of the people they look after. The role of a carer can be physically and emotionally demanding, yet this group remains dedicated to their task.

Like volunteers they seek little reward, mostly happy with the fact their effort helps others enjoy the best quality of life possible. Some members of our community are career carers, helping the elderly and those with disabilities year in, year out.

Others are forced into the job and motivated by love, caring for a partner, child or family member who is disabled, elderly, in poor health or seriously injured.

Both groups deserve enormous praise for the roles they play and let’s hope this new legislation is true to its word and delivers recognition.

Ms Wooldridge said the new legislation would ensure government and funded agencies reflected the care relationship principles in operating their business, reporting annually on the actions taken to comply with those principles.

You would hope all businesses already know, appreciate and reward their carers for the roles they play.

Hopefully, this section of the new legislation is just a safety net to catch the odd one that doesn’t.

To all carers, congratulations on the role you play in enhancing the lives of those you help. It’s hard to see how this community could get on without you.