Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention) Share this | Hansard source

The personal stories of endometriosis have helped this place get a better understanding of it and to really fight for more funding. Those stories go from the pain which impacts people's lives, both personally and in their working lives—that feeling of just needing to suffer through it—to fertility issues and, in the case of some, life-threatening issues. I'd like to acknowledge the member for Forrest for bringing this and her own personal experiences to this place so that we can have a greater understanding through the work she has done through her own family's experiences. This place is all the better for the advocacy of people like the member for Forrest and also the former member for Boothby and others. They have not stood back quietly, even though this has been a quiet issue traditionally. It has been very much front and centre in this place. I want to thank the member for Bendigo as well for leading the Parliamentary Friends of Endometriosis Awareness along with the member for Forrest.

One in nine women lives with endometriosis. It often begins to affect young women in their teenage years and the condition impacts around 200 million women worldwide. Approximately half of endometriosis cases will be challenged with fertility issues before a formal diagnosis is made. And, as has been said already, it can take around seven years for a diagnosis—and all the while, the woman is in pain. Many young women don't understand that the extreme pain is not normal and that they should seek help. Unfortunately, the direct causes of endometriosis are still not known and, whilst we work towards further understanding endo—particularly the cause, treatment and a cure—awareness is key. It isn't an issue that should be kept in the shadows at all, and we need to keep having those conversations. Education is an important piece in the health space. Providing talks and information to young women about looking out for signs and speaking with a GP is critical to ensuring that they get help early on.

Again, personal experiences are key to understanding the impact it has on so many women's lives, both here in Australia and around the world. It is a debilitating condition, and there are much-needed advancements in the medical industry that need to take place to ensure diagnosis and adequate support is provided to all women with endometriosis. The coalition is pleased to see the government commit to funding our party's policy package of $58 million for endo and pelvic pain. However, we are concerned that the government's approach is only providing a limited boost to the current existing services. Investment is vital for women's health across the country. There are so many women, particularly in our outer urban areas, and in regional and remote areas, who are impacted by geography, unable to afford treatment and continue to suffer. There are so many out-of-pocket costs associated with endometriosis for women, and this is before they are even diagnosed. Procedures for diagnosis, check-ups and treatment can be invasive for many women. The coalition's commitment was the largest investment in endometriosis treatment and research in Australia and, once again, I'd like to commend the member for Forrest for the work she did in ensuring this.

Furthermore, the former coalition government invested a record $353.9 million in the 2021-22 budget to support women's health. This included funding for research to find a cure for endometriosis and to support women experiencing this often hereditary disease. Specialised women's pain clinics, which are being built in every state and territory, were introduced by the coalition in 2022. Women's pain clinics have experts, which are extremely important for women suffering this condition.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 12:32 to 12:44

As I was saying, the coalition continues to commit deeply to supporting awareness, education and much-needed research to find a cure for this debilitating condition that so many women face.

In closing, I want to thank every woman who continues to advocate for better services for those experiencing endometriosis. Your experience has been heard and we are grateful for it. We are working on ensuring a better future for young women who will be diagnosed with endometriosis in the years to come.

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