Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence) (09:44): I want to acknowledge Madelene Rich and her son Sean, whom I have known for many years. I first met Sean as a student at the Nepean School in Seaford, and it has been a privilege to watch him grow into an incredible young man. Sean has CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting hearing, vision and development. For babies with CHARGE, life often begins in neonatal intensive care surrounded by unfamiliar medical procedures, without the ability to hear a reassuring voice or see a familiar face. Madelene has spoken powerfully about how terrifying this is and how simple changes like touch cues and extra communication time make health care predictable and comforting. This is not just about babies; over 100,000 Australians live with deafblindness. Madelene, alongside CHARGE Syndrome Australia, Able Australia, Deafblind Australia and Vision Australia, is calling for a national standard of care for deafblind patients, starting from the very beginning of life in our NICUs and continuing through every stage. Thank you, Madelene, for turning your experience as a mother into fierce advocacy. And Sean, you are such a wonderful reminder of why this work matters. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard and supported, especially when they are at their most vulnerable.