Kristina Keneally says her stillborn daughter 'changed her forever' in maiden speech

In a speech brimming with gratitude, there was one dedication that stood out in Kristina Keneally's first address to the Senate.

The former premier of NSW and now a federal Labor senator, spoke of the inspiration she continues to draw from her baby who was stillborn in 1999.

"Our daughter Caroline never drew breath, but she changed me forever," she told the chamber in her maiden speech on Tuesday. "She enlarged my understanding of love and loss. She taught me to survive. She made me brave, almost fearless."

Kristina Keneally is congratulated by Senator Jenny McAllister after delivering her maiden speech in the Senate.

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Stillbirth was an insidious health crisis on which Australia had made virtually no strides despite health improvements in other areas, Senator Keneally said. Six babies die each day - 2200 a year - and "the rate of stillbirth has not changed in Australia in decades," she said, vowing to make it a priority in this second act of her political career. "Surely we can do better than that as a nation."

Senator Keneally has hit the ground running, with the Senate on Tuesday agreeing to an inquiry to examine the economic impact of stillbirth, research needs and options for sustainable funding.

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