Tuesday, 13 August 2024

 Nicole WERNER (Warrandyte) (13:52): My husband and I were thrilled to recently announce that we are pregnant and expecting our first baby in January 2025. It is a dream come true for us after facing hurdles in falling pregnant. Fertility challenges are the reality for over one in six Australian couples, yet it is often unspoken about and for women it can be both stigmatising and isolating. There are so many that suffer in silence, so I felt compelled to speak out and share our story to encourage those who are going through their own fertility journey. Whether you are battling polycystic ovarian syndrome, like me, endometriosis or unexplained infertility, going through an IVF journey or facing miscarriage or loss, please know you are not alone.

Politicians are sometimes stereotyped as not caring about women or women’s issues. Recently the federal Treasurer made comments about how women’s fertility can be timed out and how women should be having more babies. I know firsthand the pain of insensitive comments and the sometimes well-meaning questions when you would love to fall pregnant but have not been able to yet.

Women are strong, resilient and brave. Our role in representing Victorians here in Parliament is a special privilege, and today I am using this platform to let every woman out there who is on their own fertility journey know: you are amazing, you are not alone and there is hope for you.