Community service organisations are calling for carers to be formally recognised as essential workers, as the ongoing national fuel crisis causes disruption and places strain on operations.
Under the current Liquid Fuel Emergency Act, frontline workers delivering in-home aged care, disability support, hunger relief, and family services are not included or prioritised in fuel rationing framework.
Wesley Mission Acting CEO, Karen James, says frontline in-home aged care, family service and disability support workers, need to be included in fuel allocation or rationing frameworks.

Image: Source- Pexel – Engin Akyurt

Produced By: Taylah Viskic

Featured In Story: Karen James, A/CEO at Wesley Mission, and Jana Favero, Deputy CEO at Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 23 April 2026