STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator CAROL BROWN (Tasmania) (13:38): I rise today to speak about Red Nose Day, which will be held on Thursday 27 August. For almost four decades, Red Nose Day has brought Australians together to get silly for a very serious cause. Red Nose Day is also about supporting families living with unimaginable grief.

Red Nose funds research, provides support to families who've experienced the loss of a pregnancy, baby or child, and delivers important education for keeping babies safe. One of the most important parts of that work is safe sleeping. For babies from birth to 12 months, Red Nose recommends six key safe sleep practices.

Always place your baby on their back to sleep. Keep their face and head uncovered, and keep them smoke free before and after birth. Babies should sleep in their own safe sleep space, on a firm and flat mattress with no pillows, cot bumpers, doonas, loose blankets or soft toys.

Red Nose also recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents or caregiver for the first six months. And there is one simple message worth remembering: back to sleep; tummy to play. Tummy time is important for a baby's development, but it should only happen when they are awake and supervised.

These are simple steps, but they can save lives. This Red Nose Day, I encourage Australians to get involved, make a donation if they can and take a moment to learn and share the safe sleep advice. I thank Red Nose and its staff, volunteers, researchers and supporters for the work they continue to do to save little lives and support families across Australia.