Newborn support
LABOR, if elected, will invest $38.4m to expand the newborn screening program to cover 80 potentially lifethreatening conditions.
Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler made the announcement at Muddy’s Playground alongside Leichhardt candidate Elida Faith.
“Our screening program has not kept pace with this extraordinary period of technological advance,” Mr Butler said. “There is currently no screening for spinal muscular atrophy, a condition that can be fatal for newborn babies. Labor will make sure that all parents have access to technology that identifies conditions early.”
Labor senator Nita Green, attending with her baby Stevie, said the program would give parents peace of mind.