Tuesday, 12 November 2024

Ministers statements: maternal and child health services

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:49): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is providing an important opportunity for Victorians to improve our maternal and child health system. Last month I was delighted to launch our maternal and child health survey, inviting Victorians from across the state to share their feedback on the work undertaken by maternal and child health services across the state and on where we can improve them in the future. The survey is open to everyone who has used the service in the past two years and can be accessed on the Engage Vic website. The survey closes on 1 December. It provides an important opportunity to share insights from across the state into how we can help improve maternal and child health services. This is across all aspects of our maternal and child health service, encompassing the universal MCH program, the 10 key ages and stages visits, the enhanced MCH program, the Aboriginal MCH program and the MCH phone line.

This is not the only way we are listening to Victorians on how we can improve the work we are doing. I have been meeting with maternal and child health nurses across Victoria, talking with them about their experiences in delivering maternal and child health services, and working with families on what works and does not work for them. We are also leading children’s round tables with parents and carers to understand how we can improve Victoria’s universal services. They are being held in Melbourne and regional Victoria, with families invited to discuss their experiences of maternal and child health services, early childhood education and care, early parenting centres, kindergartens and family services.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the Victorians who have shared their stories and experiences with me. From foster and kinship carers, family members to first-time parents, I have appreciated your candour and open nature in sharing your stories and experiences. Each of you is providing important feedback that will inform how we improve programs, policies and initiatives across the state for children from birth to school age, because when it comes to delivering improvements to social services, Victorians know it is only this side of the house that will deliver.

Wendy Lovell: On a point of order, President, during my question the Attorney-General offered to provide some further information on financial assistance that is available to cover probate fees, and I just want to say I would be very pleased to receive that information. If I could receive that this afternoon, I would appreciate it.

The PRESIDENT: That is not a point of order.