Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senators McCarthy and Dodson, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day was held on 9 September 2017,

  (ii) the day raises awareness of FASD, a lifelong disability in which children are born after exposure to alcohol during pregnancy,

  (iii) this exposure primarily affects the functioning of the brain, resulting in damage to a child's motor skills, cognition, language development, memory and impulse control – this has significant implications for their future, and

  (iv) FASD is preventable and we do not need new drugs or advances in safety equipment, but require a strong commitment to tackle the issue; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

  (i) support those with FASD by allowing them to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme, as required, and help their parents and carers,

  (ii) encourage all women to access accurate information and advice from their health professionals and support from family and friends, and

  (iii) support programs for encouraging alcohol-free pregnancies.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Fetal alcohol syndrome is included in the NDIS operational guidelines on access to the NDIS, list B, under the heading 'Congenital conditions'. A person with fetal alcohol syndrome is likely to meet the access requirements due to the functional impact of the condition. The coalition government is committed to tackling fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and is supporting a range of prevention, support and diagnostic services through new grant funding under the Taking more action to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders initiative.

Question agreed to.