House debates

Thursday, 28 June 2012

Statements by Members

Red Nose Day

1:51 pm

Photo of John AlexanderJohn Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

This Friday is the 25th anniversary of Red Nose Day, which promotes awareness of sudden and unexpected death in pregnancy, infancy and childbirth. Red Nose Day raises vital funds to enable SIDS and Kids to research causes and prevention techniques and to provide support for families who have experienced the death of their baby. Despite 25 years of great work, more than half the deaths of unborn babies during the last eight weeks of pregnancy still remain unexplained.

SIDS and Kids respond to requests for support for more than 1,000 families per year throughout New South Wales, providing phone, face-to-face and online counselling services for parents, family members and friends affected by the death of a baby or child. This vital service relies on local fundraising, and Red Nose Day provide support for the chance to put on a red nose and act a little silly.

Deputy Speaker, with your indulgence, I wish to take this opportunity to put on my red nose—

Honourable members: No!

and urge all of my parliamentary friends to do the same, and all Australians, for that matter, to give support to this very serious and important cause

Photo of Ms Anna BurkeMs Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the member for going to great efforts for a good cause.