Brilliant submission Kelly.
I was fortunate enough to attend the hearing the committee had in Cairns. It was very informative (both good and bad in some ways) and all the members of the public got to say their 2 cents worth at the end. At that time the committee had received over 350 submissions and despite the feb 28th Deadline they were still accepting submissions. they admitted that when they started this inquiry they beleived it would be quick easy and over in 6 mths, they expected about 100 submissions. hehehe they got a big shock I think!!! I was lucky I was able to get mine in early and has been up for a while now. I'm still trying to read through the rest-I'm up to 277.
Oh and completely agree with Cailin.
In Innisfail a breastfeeding counsellor started a program where she talked with all expectant mothers about BF-after a while no more funding so it had to be stopped. Some refused to see her, some came to groups and some rang when they needed help. What has been a bigger success has been the Breastfeeding Education Classes where people pay $70 and get a membership, a book and undertake a class (about 1/2 day I think) learning about BF. This should be something the government can do. Make private health funds pay for their members to do this course, fund low income and at risk groups to do the course and for everyone else make it a tax deduction if they do it.