Today – 15 October 2020 – marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Every year Australian families suffer over 2,000 stillbirths and over 100,000 miscarriages.

I am proud to have participated in the Senate inquiry into Stillbirth Research and Education along with my Labor colleagues Kristina Keneally and Senator Malarndirri McCarthy – Northern Territory, both of whom have continued to be strong advocates for parents of stillborn babies.

As a parent of a stillborn baby my participation in the inquiry was a painful reminder of my own tragedy yet a necessary contribution to public policy.The inquiry made important recommendations for reducing the rate of stillbirth in Australia and improving support for parents. Many of the inquiry’s recommendations remain unimplemented and this national crisis requires more attention and action from the Government.

If you know someone who is grieving the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death please encourage them to contact one of the following organisations: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Australia – https://www.pregnancylossaustralia.org.au/Stillbirth Foundation Australia – https://stillbirthfoundation.org.au/Sands Australia – https://www.sands.org.au/The Compassionate Friends Victoria Inc. (also covering Tasmania) – https://www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au/