Hobsons Bay City Council is calling on the Victorian Government to reinstate funding for crucial programs to support new parents.
Mayor, Daria Kellander has written to Victoria’s Minister for Children, Lizzie Blandthorn to highlight the importance of group-based sleep and settling program funding, which was cut in the most recent state budget.
Mayor Kellander is calling on the Government to reconsider the funding cuts to what she says are vital and well-used programs.
She says the withdrawal of the programs will directly and substantially impact families in Hobsons Bay, with more than 90 families engaging with sleep and settling group programs last year.
“I was fortunate enough to make the most of these services when I had my daughter, so I know first-hand how important they are to mums and families,” said the Mayor.
“This is a cruel blow to vulnerable new mums already stretched to their limits. These services are not a luxury — they are a lifeline. Without them, we risk pushing exhausted parents to breaking point and putting babies’ wellbeing in jeopardy.
“Services such as these are so important for new parents to give their babies the best start possible to a healthy life.
“Council remains committed to working constructively with the Victorian Government to support strong, accessible maternal and child health services for our Hobsons Bay families.”
Mayor Kellander also highlighted the cuts will disproportionately affect families experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage.
Hobsons Bay resident, mother and former sleep settling user, Anna Gilmore said the sleep settling program was incredibly helpful for new mums.
“To have experts providing key advice at a time where you are learning so many new things was something I really appreciated,” said Ms Gilmore.
“It was also a great community of new parents coming together to chat through their struggles and triumphs that comes with having a newborn.
“Both my partner and I found that sleep was so critical to our health and happiness as a brand new family, and one of the biggest challenges we faced with a young baby.
“The advice we got through this program was so important for supporting our own mental health and our relationship during this period.
“I feel for parents who might not be able to receive some of this important information if the program’s funding is cut,” she said.
