Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support the motion put forward by the member for Murray. I commend her on her efforts, through this motion, to shine a light on the dangers associated with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or FASD. I am on the Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs with the member for Murray, and she is acting deputy chair at the moment on the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, where we intend to commence an inquiry into FASD as soon as we finish the inquiries we are conducting at the moment. Most members would be aware of the risks to unborn babies associated with pregnant woman consuming alcohol during pregnancy. However, in some sections of society the dangers are not as well known. The number of babies affected by foetal alcohol syndrome is thought to be as high as 2.7 per 1,000 babies born. It is even higher in Indigenous communities. Some studies have found that 60 per cent of cases of FASD were Indigenous.

There is still debate about what level of alcohol can be safely consumed by pregnant mothers but it is interesting to note that the World Health Organisation now recommends that women should be advised not to drink at all. Babies born with foetal alcohol syndrome face a range of difficulties later in life including lower IQ, developmental delays, behaviour problems, learning difficulties, memory problems, increased risk of behaviour problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, increased risk of mental health difficulties such as depression and psychosis and increased risk of alcohol and drug misuse. Sadly, there is no cure for foetal alcohol syndrome and those who suffer from it suffer for a lifetime. Only prevention is the answer.

I understand that the Gillard Labor government has developed and distributed materials advising pregnant or breastfeeding women that not drinking is clearly the safest option. The government is also investing $700,000 to the National Drug Research Institute to develop materials to assist health professionals and alcohol and drug workers, especially those working with ATSI people. The Gillard Labor government has also provided $450,000 to the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research to develop a diagnostic instrument to assist clinicians in diagnosing babies and children with FASD. More importantly, the Gillard Labor government is also supporting people with foetal alcohol syndrome and their families.

People with FASD who are over 16 years old may qualify for the disability support pension if their level of impairment prevents them from working for 15 hours or more a week for at least the next two years. The government's range of payments to carers is also available to carers of children and adults with FASD who, because of the demands of their caring role, are unable to support themselves. The rates of FASD are much higher in remote Indigenous communities and this is a national disgrace. The government has a range of actions in place to help reduce these chronic rates but obviously we need to do more.

Through our income management initiatives, the Gillard Labor government is working to ensure that welfare payments are always spent in the best interests of children. These measures limit expenditure of income support payments on excluded items, such as alcohol and tobacco, to help ease financial stress and ensure these payments are spent on essentials—it seems ridiculous but things, for example, like making sure there is food on the table for children.

We are also investing $1 billion in the Family Support Program to support families, improve children's wellbeing and safety and build more resilient communities. The saying that it takes a village to raise a child is true. It is clear that the Gillard government is doing a lot to increase public awareness and reduce cases of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It is also clear that there is much more work to do. For all too many years my wife, who has worked in child protection now for 21 years, has told me so many sad tales of children that have experienced foetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the sad lot that awaits them later on in life. Sadly, the cycle goes on and on. There is much work to be done and I look forward to the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs doing its little bit to contribute to knowledge in this area and I commend the member for Murray for bringing this issue to the attention of the House.

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