The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring mums and dads across Victoria have access to essentials for their baby, particularly those facing disadvantage.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced a $100,000 grant for Melbourne-based charity the Nappy Collective.

The Nappy Collective collects donations of new nappies and passes them onto community partners that support families in need.

Delivering on the promise the Labor Government made to Victorians at last year’s election, this investment will make sure the Nappy Collective can continue to support vulnerable families across Victoria.

Part of a more than $86 million package in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to give mums, dads and babies more support, The Nappy Collective works alongside community partners across Australia to deliver donated nappies to families who are facing financial hardship or difficulty accessing essential baby products.

Research from The Nappy Collective shows that one in 10 Australian families don’t have enough nappies due to reasons outside their control, such as homelessness, escaping domestic violence, major weather events or other emergencies.

The Nappy Collective has distributed more than 2.6 million nappies since launching in 2013, and now boasts over 150 collection points across Victoria.

Early parenthood can be a stressful time for new parents, which is why we are strengthening maternal and child health and building more early parenting centres across Victoria.

Alongside continuing the Victorian Baby Bundle program for first time parents, the Labor Government is also boosting universal maternal and child health hours for children and families, investing $4 million to provide increased breastfeeding support to mothers through more access to lactation consultants and appointments.

The Labor Government is also strengthening local community groups and support networks for families by investing in new grant programs for dads’ groups, multicultural story-time, and funding for local volunteer-run groups such as Olivia’s Place.