Santo Santoro (Queensland, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I can understand Senator Stott Despoja’s concern. The government has given serious thought to the issue that she has raised. Two training modules will be developed in relation to pregnancy counselling and advice. One module will be developed for general practitioners and allied health professionals and the other for telephone counsellors. The modules will be focused on skills in non-directive pregnancy counselling and will ensure providers are able to deliver to clients authoritative, evidence based information which has been developed in consultation with appropriate professional bodies. This will include up-to-date information on available government family support payments and entitlements. The tender process for the development of the training modules will comply with Commonwealth procurement guidelines and involve an open tender supported by an advisory committee from the relevant professional bodies.