Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Ministers statements: baby bundles

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:49): I rise to update the house on the Victorian baby bundle program. The Allan Labor government understands that, while bringing home a new baby can be an exciting and joyful time, it can also be a challenging transition.

A member: It’s terrifying.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: It is terrifying. We know that supporting new parents during those crucial first months leads to better outcomes for families and for children, and that is why in Victoria all first-time parents, including foster and adoptive parents and carers, are eligible for a free baby bundle. The bundle contains Victorian-supplied products carefully selected by a panel of experts to ensure families are as healthy and happy as possible as they start their new life, including a nappy bag, a safe sleeping bag, an infant first-aid kit, a sunhat, a toothbrush and teething toys, four picture books by Victorian authors and a muslin wrap. Parents also receive a passport in the baby bundle with vital resources and contacts, including the maternal and child health line, through which families can access advice from a qualified maternal and child health nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week; the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia, PANDA, hotline, a free mental health service through the first year of parenthood; Raising Children Network and Kidsafe online resources; and information on fun activities, such as libraries, playgroups, parks and playgrounds.

Since July 2019 the baby bundle program has benefited around 35,000 first-time parents and carers every year, and we are ensuring thousands more will benefit thanks to a further four years of funding in this year’s budget. This program is just one of the ways we are investing in Victorian families with the More Support for Mums, Dads and Babies budget package. We are also increasing universal maternal and child health hours, improving breastfeeding support with funding for lactation consultant training, encouraging stronger communities with grant programs for dads groups and multicultural story time sessions, expanding our early parenting centre network by establishing a new early parenting centre in Northcote as well as Victoria’s first Aboriginal-dedicated early parenting centre in Frankston, and strengthening the capacity of not-for-profit organisations Nappy Collective and Olivia’s Place in Gippsland with a one-off funding boost to continue their work. I am pleased to commend the program.