Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:49): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is supporting families with new babies right across the state by delivering the baby bundle. It was a delight to join the member for St Albans in the other place to celebrate the delivery of more than 220,000 baby bundles to Victorian children – newborn babies – and first-time parents by visiting the wonderful Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital in St Albans. While at the hospital, we were fortunate to meet with proud parents Suchaya and Les and their beautiful new baby Leo to personally deliver their baby bundle. The baby bundle contains nursery essentials to support the health and development of newborn babies. Each baby bundle contains high-quality items, including a safe sleeping bag, first-aid kit, sunhat, grow suit and picture books by Victorian authors. The bundle also includes essential parenting information, such as emergency contacts, to help parents navigate early parenthood and support their newborns to thrive. By supplying essential items free of charge, the baby bundle reduces the immediate financial burden on families at a time when household costs typically increase. Bringing a new baby home is an enormous joy but a huge change for any family, which is why the Victorian government implemented the baby bundle program to support Victorian families from day one of bringing their new baby home.

At Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital and at other birthing hospitals across Victoria the baby bundle is given to families before they go home. Baby bundles may also be given at MCH appointments by the MCH nurse. The baby bundle is just one of the ways we are supporting families and is delivered from within our nation-leading maternal and child health service. Through this universal service, families are supported with key ages and stages appointments to help families raise happy and healthy kids. Families experiencing challenges such as disability, mental health or domestic violence can be further supported through the enhanced maternal and child health service, and we also deliver the Aboriginal maternal and child health service via 15 Aboriginal organisations across the state, delivering culturally safe health and development appointments to babies and their families. All of this is in addition to the green book, the 24/7 MCH hotline, the nursery equipment program and much more, all delivered via our incredible MCH service to help babies and families thrive. This is about giving families practical support when it matters most.