PM underwrites a ‘mums, dads and bubs’ check

Scott Morrison has announced $36m for a “mums, dads and bubs check” aimed at addressing peri-natal depression.

The ‘mum, dads and bubs check’ would be rolled out to support Australians who have peri-natal depression.

Scott Morrison has used his Mother’s Day Melbourne campaign launch to announce $53 million in women’s health initiatives, including $36m for a “mums, dads and bubs check” aimed at addressing peri-natal depression.

Citing wife Jenny’s battle with mild depression following the birth of their two daughters, the Prime Minister used the announce­ment to give a plug to pediatrician and Liberal candidate for Higgins Katie Allen.

“This is a cause close to my heart and our family, as it has hit close to home,” Mr Morrison said.

“Too many parents have suffered in silence.”

Dr Allen faces a tough three-way battle against former Law Council president and Labor candidate Fiona McLeod and Greens LGBTIQ advocate Jason Ball in the inner-southeastern Melbourne seat recently vacated by retiring Liberal Kelly O’Dwyer.

“I know that Katie Allen, our candidate here in Higgins, she loves this,” Mr Morrison said of the suite of women’s health policies.

“And I need Katie Allen, I need Dr Katie Allen, as my member for Higgins, to help me implement this plan.”

The “mums, dads and bubs check” would be rolled out nationwide to better support the 100,000 Australians who experience post-natal depression each year.

It would be delivered in 10 languages and would include $16m for the Centre for Perinatal Excellence to roll out a screening tool to identify those at risk.

The suite of women’s health policies also includes an extra $10m over five years into initi­atives to relieve the pain of lymphoedema swelling with com­pression garments, $4m to support breastfeeding mothers, and $5m for a new National Women’s Health Research Translation and Impact Network.