Thursday, 20 March 2025

Baluk Balert Barring early parenting centre

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:19): I rise to update the house on one of the ways in which the Allan Labor government is supporting First Nations families, by delivering the beautiful Baluk Balert Barring early parenting centre in Frankston. Last week it was a pleasure to visit this stunning centre for First Nations families with my colleagues Paul Edbrooke and Paul Mercurio in the other place. The centre is operated by the wonderful team at First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing, providing culturally safe and holistic care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families from the antenatal stage to when their little ones start school. The centre is giving First Nations families the choice to access early parenting supports while recognising the unique needs of Aboriginal people. This early parenting centre is part of the $165 million Allan Labor government investment into 12 new and upgraded centres we are delivering across the state.

We were welcomed to the centre by Karinda Taylor, CEO of First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing, and the team at Baluk Balert Barring. When entering the purpose-built centre, you immediately feel the welcoming atmosphere created by her team. From the gorgeous gums overlooking the centre to the inviting and peaceful consultation rooms, Baluk Balert Barring is certainly providing a wonderful meeting place for First Nations families to access these supports. By supporting new parents with sleep, settling and day supports as well as early parenting programs and cultural education workshops, this centre is helping parents and carers achieve their parenting goals, ensuring families have valuable parenting strategies to use at home with their little ones. I met with mums and their babies, who described to me how the centre has helped them from the early stages of their pregnancies, supported them through their early parenting journey and assisted them in developing a distinct connection to community and country, giving them the confidence and skills they need to raise their beautiful babies.

Through initiatives such as Baluk Balert Barring, the Allan Labor government is helping First Nations little ones to have the best start in life. We know that supporting families in these very early stages makes a real difference in family outcomes, and that is why we are delivering a network of early parenting centres right across the state, creating opportunities for all families and children to thrive.