Page 2987 - Week 10 - Friday, 8 October 2021
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The figures and reports do not tell us about the love and grief felt by the loved ones of these children. Data does not tell us the stories of the mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents and families who lose a baby. It does not show the varied and complex journeys for mothers and families processing the emotional, spiritual and physical impacts of losing a child. The data does not offer an opportunity to safely share those stories, to have the conversations—to hear and be heard—and to grieve.
In jurisdictions in Australia and across the globe 15 October is recognised as International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. The day offers an opportunity for bereaved families from Australia and around the world to pause to remember their babies who have died. The annual day honours the approximately 106,000 babies who lose their lives to miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death each year. In many places the day is commemorated by key buildings and landmarks being lit in pink and blue, in remembrance and to raise awareness. Today many members in the chamber are wearing ribbons of the same colours, in recognition.
Last year John De’Laney from Pregnancy and Infant Loss Australia approached the ACT Greens and other candidates and asked us to show our support for the recognition of International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on 15 October annually here in the territory. My colleagues and I met with John and we committed to bringing forward this motion to the Assembly. John and his wife, Kate, could not be with us in the chamber today of course, but they have been a driving force for raising awareness and for supporting families. Thank you to John and Kate for working with us on this motion and for your ongoing work across the country.
The sitting calendar this year does not allow us to speak on this issue in this place on 15 October, but by bringing on this motion today we can ensure that International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is recognised in the Assembly this year. I know Minister Cheyne has worked on how we can further the recognition of pregnancy and infant loss in the ACT, moving forward, and I know she will speak to that shortly.
In Canberra we also have wonderful groups like Sands, Red Nose, the Canberra Grief Centre, Bears of Hope and the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre who support and care for families experiencing the loss of their baby and their continuing journey. No doubt COVID has made this experience even more trying for families and made it harder for support organisations to assist. On behalf of the ACT Greens, I pass on my sincere thanks to those organisations. My thoughts are with the families who are on this heartbreaking journey.
Recognising that this was a matter beyond politics, one that touches and will continue to touch Canberrans from all walks of life, I thank Minister Cheyne and Ms Lee for working with me and my office to make this a tripartisan motion. I hope that by having this conversation in this place we can help to raise awareness across Canberra about pregnancy and infant loss in our communities. We hope that recognition by our parliament of the immeasurable loss felt by families goes some small way to acknowledging their grief and the journey they have ahead. I commend this motion to the Assembly.
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