Scott Morrison announces $53m package for prospective parents

Scott Morrison has made $53m worth of Mother’s Day for prospective parents which includes cancer patients being able to access cheaper IVF.

Scott Morrison has made a massive $53m pre-election promise for aspiring parents, which would allow people with cancer who are hoping to become parents to access cheaper IVF.

The Prime Minister announced the package on Sunday to help prospective parents with reproductive services, pregnancy planning and post-natal care.

The Coalition expects its measures, to start on November 1, to assist some 6200 Australians and save them each about $600.

There is $14.4m to cover the cost of storing eggs, sperm or embryos for people with cancer or those who are at risk of passing on genetic diseases or conditions.

This includes $9.9 million to subsidise the cost of storage for cancer patients.

Scott Morrison made the funding announcement on Sunday. Picture: Jason Edwards

Mr Morrison, whose daughters Abbey and Lily were both conceived through IVF, said he wanted to help more Australians start their own families.

“For people battling cancer or staring down the risk of genetic diseases it’s already a difficult battle and this new subsidy will help give them more options about their aspirations to become parents,” he said.

“Can you imagine you‘re dealing with cancer, and there’s so much that has already been taken from you, and one of the other things that you feel will be taken from you is the opportunity to have kids.

“What this does is change that and it takes away another battle that you thought you were going to have to face.”

Mr Morrison said one in six Australian couples face difficulty trying to start a family, with added difficulties for those suffering from cancer or at high risk of passing on genetic diseases or conditions to their children.

The Coalition said about 50,000 patients received Medicare-subsidised assisted reproductive technology services in 2020-21 including through IVF.

Mr Morrison, with his wife Jenny and daughters Abbey and Lily – who were born with the help of IVF – pictured at an Easter service at a Horizon Church in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

If re-elected, the Morrison government has pledged $25m over four years to deliver 20 new Gidget Foundation services across the country, to assist some of the 100,000 Australian parents who are affected by peri-natal depression and anxiety each year.

The Birth of a Child Life Event Service pilot program, which provides support for new parents from during pregnancy until a child is 12 months old, would be expanded with a $13.7m investment.

Outgoing Health Minister Greg Hunt said this funding would also contribute to “strengthening advice to government” on improving maternity services for families in rural areas.

“Thinking about having a child, let alone those first few months of a newborn’s life, can be overwhelming and we want to do what we can to make it that bit easier,” he said.

Labor has also agreed to match the commitment, with Opposition leader Anthony Albanese saying he was prepared to support the policy if elected.

Originally published as Scott Morrison announces $53m package for prospective parents