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<< Return to previous page | House of Representatives Standing Committtee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs Navigation: Contents | Next Page Preliminary pagesForewordChildren are our hope distilled. At birth they are a launching pad for all of society’s dreams and aspirations. They personify humanity’s unlimited potential. Yet tragically, for too many babies in Australia, their opportunities and circumstances are severely diminished even before they draw their first breath. The harm caused by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is hidden in the damaged brain. It may masquerade as naughty behaviour, poor parenting, lack of discipline, or simple-mindedness. However, it is none of these things. FASD is an entirely preventable but incurable condition caused by a baby’s exposure to alcohol in the womb. The consequences are expressed along a spectrum of disabilities including: physical, cognitive, intellectual, learning, behavioural, social and executive functioning abnormalities and problems with communication, motor skills, attention and memory. While the risk of FASD increases with the quantity of alcohol a pregnant woman consumes, what is not widely understood is that even small amounts of alcohol, at critical times, can result in irrevocable damage to the developing fetus. In many cases, the damage is not physically apparent but can manifest itself in lifelong learning difficulties and cognitive impairment. Awareness of FASD is increasing in Australia, but much work needs to be done. The series of recommendations made by the Committee outline a national strategy to prevent, identify and manage FASD in Australia. This national strategy can spearhead progress in all sectors—health, education, criminal justice, social support—toward understanding, treating and most importantly eliminating FASD. The Committee is grateful for the unstinting work of individuals and organisations that have contributed to increasing awareness and knowledge of FASD and its prevalence in Australia and have lobbied for action, often without recognition or remuneration. These efforts have been the catalyst for this parliamentary inquiry and the actions that will follow. Time and again during the inquiry, the Committee heard about the devastation that can be caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Foster carers spoke about children in their care and the enormous challenges they face. Paediatricians spoke about the lack of awareness and lack of diagnostic resources for FASD. Indigenous community leaders spoke about communities and culture in crisis due to FASD. Women spoke about the conflicting health messages given and the desperate need for clear advice from health professionals. Amidst all these voices, the most moving was that of Tristan, a young man affected by FASD. Tristan says: I wish I can be a policeman just when I grow up … Nah … I just want to be normal first. I just want to be normal. We owe it to Tristan, and to every child and every woman and
every family in Australia, to bring to light the risk of FASD. We cannot keep
hidden the devastating harms being caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Mr Graham Perrett MP Membership of the Committee
Committee Secretariat
Terms of referenceFetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an overarching term used to describe a range of cognitive, physical, mental, behavioural, learning and developmental disorders that result from fetal exposure to alcohol. The Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs is to inquire into and report on developing a national approach to the prevention, intervention and management of FASD in Australia, with particular reference to:
List of abbreviations and acronyms
List of recommendations1 IntroductionRecommendation 1The actions set out in this report should constitute the Commonwealth Government’s National Plan of Action for the prevention, diagnosis and management of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). This FASD National Plan of Action should be publicly released by 1 June 2013. Recommendation 2The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government immediately establish an ongoing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Reference Group reporting to the relevant Commonwealth Government Ministers, consisting of a select group of appointed practitioners, professionals and stakeholders who are experts in the field of prevention and management of FASD. The role of the FASD reference group would be to oversee and advise on the FASD National Plan of Action. Recommendation 3The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government publicly report:
3 FASD awareness and preventionRecommendation 4The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government work with the National Health and Medical Research Council and professional peak bodies to ensure that all health professionals are:
Recommendation 5The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government establish mechanisms for health professionals to record women’s alcohol consumption during pregnancy, or at the time of birth for women who have not presented for prenatal care, and to ensure such information is recorded in midwives data collections or notifications across Australia. Recommendation 6The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government implement a general public awareness campaign which promotes not drinking alcohol when pregnant or when planning a pregnancy as the safest option, consistent with the National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines. Specific awareness campaigns should be developed to target youth and Indigenous communities. Nationwide campaigns should be started no later than 1 July 2013. Recommendation 7The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government mandate a health advisory label advising women not to drink when pregnant or when planning a pregnancy to be included on the packaging of all pregnancy and ovulation testing kits. These labels should be in place by 1 October 2013. Recommendation 8The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government raise with the States and Territories the critical importance of strategies to assist Indigenous communities in managing issues of alcohol consumption and to assist community led initiatives to reduce high-risk consumption patterns and the impact of alcohol. Recommendation 9The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government work with State and Territory governments to identify and implement effective strategies for pregnant women with alcohol dependence or misuse. Recommendation 10The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government seek to include health warning labels for alcoholic beverages, including a warning label that advises women not to drink when pregnant or when planning a pregnancy, on the Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation’s December agenda. The Commonwealth Government should determine the appropriate format and design of the labels by 1 March 2013, to assist the alcohol industry in adopting best practice principles and preparing for mandatory implementation. Recommendation 11The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government mandate the range of health warning labels for alcoholic beverages as decided by the Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation.
Recommendation 12The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government commission an independent study into the impacts of the pricing and availability of alcohol and the influence of these factors in the changing patterns of alcohol consumption across age groups and gender. The study should be completed by 1 October 2013. Recommendation 13The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government commission an independent study into the impacts and appropriateness of current alcohol marketing strategies directed to young people. The study should have regard to these strategies and the volume and frequency of alcohol consumption amongst young people, the links being made between alcohol and sport, the efficacy of efforts to promote responsible drinking behaviours, and the adequacy of current regulations to respond to marketing through digital platforms such as the internet, social media and smartphones. The study should be completed by 1 October 2013. Recommendation 14The Committee recommends that, following the completion of the study into the pricing and availability of alcohol and the study into alcohol marketing strategies, the Commonwealth Government develop a National Alcohol Sales Reform Plan aimed at reducing the harms caused by irresponsible alcohol consumption across Australia. 4 DiagnosisRecommendation 15The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government expedite the rollout of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnostic instrument and the development of a training and user manual. These should be available for use by 1 October 2013. Following the rollout, the Commonwealth Government should establish a mechanism to collect and monitor diagnostic data in order to assess the effectiveness of prevention strategies and patterns of FASD occurrence. Recommendation 16The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government develop and implement a national Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) diagnostic and management services strategy. This strategy should be monitored and informed by the FASD Reference Group, and should establish capacity by 1 July 2014 for the following:
5 Management needsRecommendation 17The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government develop educational material to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). These materials should be monitored and informed by the FASD Reference Group. In particular, targeted training and materials should be developed for:
Recommendation 18The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government include Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in the List of Recognised Disabilities and the Better Start for Children with a Disability Initiative. Recommendation 19The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government recognise that people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders have, amongst other disabilities, a cognitive impairment and therefore amend the eligibility criteria to enable access to support services and diversionary laws. Navigation: Contents | Next Page
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