Page 1920 - Week 07 - Thursday, 20 August 1992
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Madam Speaker, in the past 12 months the National SIDS Council of Australia has been working to raise awareness about ways in which parents can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Early indications suggest that there is a reduction of SIDS in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria. The research that has been undertaken and the community education programs and awareness raising have been possible only because of the assistance and generosity of Australian people taking part in Red Nose Day.
During the lead-up to national Red Nose Day, ACT emergency vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances and police cars will wear red noses, as will the larger operational vehicles of the Parks and Conservation Service, the John Overall office building on Northbourne Avenue, and the ACTEW building in Civic. Madam Speaker, I note that a number of members' cars also wear red noses. I encourage my colleagues and the people of Canberra to support national Red Nose Day by buying and wearing a red nose. There will be badges available for those who do not want to wear a red nose but still want to show their support. I understand, Madam Speaker, that you can obtain car and face noses and badges from Shoprite outlets and Amcal chemists, and the badges will also be available at major shopping malls on the day - Friday, 28 August.
Madam Speaker, the addition of a red nose places a lighter note on a very serious issue, but it has the effect of drawing people together in a common cause. I think it has been one of the most successful campaigns I have seen for these sorts of ailments in many years. I wish the organisers every success and I expect that they will receive wide support throughout the community. I present the following paper:
Red Nose Day, 28 August 1992 - Ministerial statement, 20 August 1992.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
MR HUMPHRIES (3.22): Madam Speaker, I rise to endorse the comments of the Minister on this matter. It certainly is a matter on which I think all members on both sides of the chamber can unite. It is a bit of a pity that the Minister chose to trivialise the issue at the beginning of his comments.
Mr Berry: To ridicule the Liberals.
MR HUMPHRIES: Even if you wished to ridicule the Liberals, it was a rather unfortunate vehicle to use. I think we all know that national Red Nose Day pursues an important goal, that is, reducing the incidence of SIDS in children under the age of two years. It is the biggest killer of children in this community under the age of two years. It is an issue we should all take extremely seriously. The red nose does not mean that it is a funny or not serious issue. It is a very serious issue, and I am sure that all of us on this side of the house can join with the serious sentiments expressed by the Minister on this question.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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