A local teacher, mother of six, and founder of Maternity Consumer Network, has launched a historic maternity care initiative at Parliament House.
Alecia Staines is the visionary behind the nationally acclaimed not-for-profit Maternity Consumer Network (MCN), embarked on a significant journey to the nation’s capital this month.
Her mission: to inaugurate a groundbreaking Maternity Friendship Group, a collaborative effort between MPs and prominent Maternity organisations, held within the hallowed halls of Parliament House.
Joining Ms Staines as co-chairs were Local Federal MP, Llew O’Brien along with Alicia Payne MP and Helen Haines MP.
In her impassioned statement, she emphasised the pivotal nature of the gathering, remarking, “It was heartening to witness representatives from across the political spectrum come together to champion the cause of enhancing maternity care for women.”
“Our focus remains on establishing accessible services within communities, augmenting the availability of known midwives, and minimising undue trauma and intervention.”
During the historic convening, the Parliamentary Friends Group delved into a range of critical issues, including the imperative of local birthing alternatives, the pressing need to reduce roadside births, and the implementation of culturally sensitive birthing models for Aboriginal women and infants.
Additionally, discussions centered on elevating Medicare rebates to support private midwives, thereby fortifying the foundational framework of maternity care.
This pioneering initiative marks the inaugural Parliamentary group dedicated to the advancement of maternity care in the annals of parliamentary history.
Since its inception in 2016, MCN, under Ms Staines’ leadership, has been steadfast in its commitment to heighten awareness surrounding maternity care outcomes through advocacy, education and training.
In a noteworthy concurrent development, MCN takes immense pride in being named the recipient of a generous $22,000 grant from the QLD Community Gambling Fund in its latest round.
Alecia Staines expressed her gratitude, stating, “This funding will serve as a cornerstone in our ongoing collaborative efforts with other organisations, as we strive to reduce birth trauma and amplify the overall quality of women’s experiences within the maternity system.”
She is also running for Noosa Council in the election next March and a member of LNP.
