Sue Boyce (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend notice of motion No. 300 standing in my name and the names of Senator Adams and Senator Siewert relating to foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended in the terms circulated in the chamber:

That the Senate:

  (a)   notes that Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is:

     (i)   an overarching term used to describe a range of physical, mental, behavioural, learning and development disorders that can result from foetal exposure to alcohol, and

     (ii)   reported to be the greatest cause of non-congenital, irreversible and permanent brain damage to new-borns in Australia;

  (b)   calls on the Australian Parliament to continue to facilitate and support the development of a FASD national diagnostic tool for the use of medical professionals and other health service providers; and

  (c)   calls on the Australian Government to:

     (i)   give those with FASD access to disability support funding and services, where appropriate,

     (ii)   institute an awareness campaign targeted to groups most at risk to raise their awareness of the risks to the unborn child when alcohol is consumed in pregnancy and highlight the potential cognitive and developmental consequences for affected individuals as these pertain to service providers, law enforcement and justice, the community sector and education, and

     (iii)   give support to the development of models of care and helping strategies for families and individuals dealing with the impacts of FASD.

Question agreed to.