Senator CHRIS EVANS (1:49 PM) —On behalf of the opposition I wish to indicate our support for the Assistance for Carers Legislation Amendment Bill 1999 . We welcome the bill and the many beneficial measures that are contained in it. Carers provide an unstinting and highly valuable role in our society, often at great personal and economic cost. It is important that the parliament and Australia generally recognises their contribution and provides as much assistance as we can to their efforts. It has been estimated that up to $16 billion is saved per year by the unfunded efforts of carers.

Madam Acting Deputy President, I am not keen to hold up this bill. I am very keen for it to be passed today. But I do want to put on record our concern that the adult disability assessment tool that is at the centre of a lot of the measures contained in the bill is not yet available. The opposition is concerned that we have not been able to see that assessment tool. As Mr Swan, the member for Lilley, made the point in the House of Representatives the other day, we are quite nervous about agreeing to this bill without the ability to assess that assessment tool.

We do, however, understand it is a disallowable instrument but, of course, that is a very blunt measure for the Senate to use to respond to concerns about an issue such as this. We would urge the government to ensure that there is proper consultation and negotiation with interested parties before that adult disability assessment tool is finalised, so that we are not faced with a disallowance type debate in the Senate, but rather we have a tool that, I think, everyone can agree to support.

Our concern about this is based on the growing concern about the child disability assessment tool, particularly in its treatment of cystic fibrosis sufferers. I do not want to delay the Senate but I congratulate Mr Sid Sidebottom, the member for Braddon, for his advocacy on behalf of these groups and note that the opposition will continue to advocate their concerns with that particular assessment tool.

I would like to have had more time today, but I think it is important that we carry the bill. So I will conclude my remarks and indicate that we will be supporting the bill.