Thursday, 18 May 2023

Ministers statements: women’s health

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Medical Research) (14:23): I am delighted to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s commitment to the health of Victorian women. Our government is giving women’s health and wellbeing the attention it deserves. Only Labor is a party that listens to women, respects women and elects women, and only Labor can be trusted to deliver these nation-leading reforms, because the more women you elect, the more diverse lived experience you have to draw on, including our experiences of menstruation, endometriosis, fertility care, sexual and reproductive health and menopause, and that means better outcomes for women’s health.

I am proud that 64 per cent of Labor’s cabinet are women. This progress is reflected in our policy priorities. As part of our $121 million women’s health package, we will create 20 new women’s health clinics and expand our sexual and reproductive health service network. We will double surgeries for endometriosis-related conditions, provide scholarships for women’s healthcare specialists and establish a women’s health research institute. We will also deliver an inquiry into women’s pain management and make it easier to access the pill and antibiotics for urinary tract infections. When it comes to supporting women there is no room for name-calling, no room for backflipping or for capitulating to outdated agendas. Our government is united when it comes to listening to women’s voices and acting on what we hear.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Lowan can leave the chamber for 1 hour.

Member for Lowan withdrew from chamber.

Mary-Anne THOMAS: Under Labor access to reproductive choices will always be protected, because members on this side of the house believe that abortion care is health care. Our government will show real leadership on this issue. We know that that is what leaders should do. We know how important it is that women’s voices be heard and respected – (Time expired)