$2 million for care and research to help newborns

The Albanese Government will help improve the health of premature babies in Brisbane and Queensland through a $2 million contribution to the Channel Nine Telethon supporting Mater Little Miracles.
 
The funding will go to Queensland’s Mater Foundation to support premature babies through medical research, specialist medical care and new equipment.   
 
Brisbane’s Mater Hospital provides specialist care for more than 2,000 sick and premature babies each year.
 
Every baby born and cared for at Mater Mothers’ is affectionately known as a “Mater Little Miracle”.  
 
For more than six decades, Mater Mothers’ public and private hospitals have been leaders in high quality maternity services, supporting Queensland families from preconception through to early parenthood.
 
Mater Research is also a recognised leader in medical research, with Mother and Baby as one of its key focus areas. Projects to be funded with the telethon proceeds include research on clinical management of pregnancy complications, care for sick newborns, and the relationship between fetal development, early life experience and lifelong health.
 
The Channel Nine Queensland Telethon, to be held on 18 April 2026, has received Australian Government donations on a near annual basis for the past 12 years.
 
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
 
“All of us as parents know how tiny and precious a newborn baby is.
 
“All funds donated to the telethon will help Mater to continue to lead the way in not only saving babies whose lives hang in the balance, but enabling them to live happy, healthy lives.
 
“Our government is very pleased to again provide a major donation, in recognition of the outstanding work being done by Mater Mothers’ and the Mater Research team.”
 
Quotes attributable to Renee Coffey MP:
 
“I was born at the Mater and one of my sons was born there. Like so many families across Brisbane, we are connected to this institution and to the care, compassion and expertise it has provided for generations.
 
“This contribution will help Mater continue delivering specialist care for newborns and their families, while also supporting research that can improve outcomes well into the future.”
 
Quotes attributable to Mater Foundation CEO Andrew Thomas:
 
“The Federal Government’s generous contribution to the Nine Telethon will help to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies in Queensland and across Australia.
 
“Supporting vital research is the key to improving medical care which saves tiny lives and reduces the impact of conditions that can develop due to pre-term births.”