STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator GHOSH (Western Australia) (13:37): Last week, I was honoured to attend the opening of WA's first children's hospice, Sandcastles (Booja Mia), an important facility that will provide care, comfort and support to Western Australian families caring for children with life-limiting conditions. These families carry an extraordinary burden as they navigate complex medical care, long hospital stays and significant disruptions to family life.

By bringing together specialist care, respite services and family support in one facility, Sandcastles will provide a safe and nurturing environment for these children and their families during extraordinarily difficult times. It was clear that the success of the project is the result of remarkable partnerships between government, philanthropy, business and the wider community.

The federal government contributed funding to the construction of the project alongside the Western Australian government, as well as a host of corporate and philanthropic partners, including Lotterywest, the Minderoo Foundation, Wesfarmers and Cancer Council WA. But I think what was particularly special and why it was particularly an honour for me to be there was that sense of community endeavour among those present—the sense of success at having achieved something that will really improve the quality of people's lives in very difficult circumstances.

That is to be commended. I must acknowledge the hard work of the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation, who managed the project, particularly its CEO, Carrick Robinson, and chairman, the former senator Ian Campbell, who were both there at the conception of the facility and spent years overcoming challenges in order to see it constructed and now finally open. I congratulate everyone in bringing this project to life, and I know that their efforts will make a lasting difference to children and families across Western Australia.