Leon Rebello (McPherson, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

The coalition has a proud record of supporting women's health, and this remains a strong priority for us. Let me start with a quote: 'Caring for women is not charity. It's an investment in the future of families, communities and nations.' I dare say that every member of this place would agree with me. In the 2021-22 budget, the former coalition government invested more than $353 million to support women's health. That included $22 million to introduce additional gynaecological items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule, including items for assisted reproductive technology, ensuring affordable access to reproductive health services through Medicare. I'd say that there is a bipartisan commitment in this place to make sure that we can actually progress the way in which Australia deals with endometriosis and pelvic pain as well.

But one of the things that I'd say is that, when I speak to women from my electorate of McPherson, their experience is somewhat different to what we hear in this place. I've spoken to women who have heard the Prime Minister say time and time again that you only need a Medicare card, and that's not their experience. I've spoken to women who have, through their endometriosis journeys, had the experience of having to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars of their own hard-earned money just for basic testing and for treatment. That's something that is the true lived experience of women. It's something that we need to change and, as a country, we need to do better. I think it would serve this government well if it actually invested in looking at those outcomes and changing those outcomes, as opposed to just talking about these investments. At the end of the day, the people in my electorate and across the country don't see the investment; they see their experience. That's something that we need to put the focus on.

I'd also like to take this opportunity, while we have the member for Forrest in the chamber, to acknowledge the incredible work of his predecessor, the honourable Nola Marino, during her time in this place. She was an absolute champion for those who suffer from endometriosis, and I'd like to note our appreciation on the Hansard record.

One of the things that we as the coalition want to do is ensure that women across Australia, regardless of where they are, in the cities and in the regions, can access care that not only is affordable but also understands their unique experience and their needs. As part of the opposition, something that I will do is, while acknowledging the important progress that's been made, make sure that we as a coalition are able to actually hold this government to account on progressing what were and what are bipartisan commitments. They need to be progressed as soon as possible. These include measures to enhance menopause care for women through a new Medicare rebate; to expand health professional training, which is so critically important; to develop national clinical guidelines; and to also increase funding for endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics.

That package expands on the important work that we started on and my predecessors started on when we were in government previously. That included launching the National Women's Health Strategy and announcing what was an historic investment into Australia's first endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics under the former coalition. So, while we are committed to holding this government to account, we're also committed to working with this government on this really important matter for women across the country. But we are relatively concerned that, under this government, as I spoke to before, the experience of women is that it's never been harder or more expensive for them to access critical primary care. And that is something that needs to change.

I'll just finish with a personal note that was given to me, in relation to a constituent whose wife was going through menopause. He said:

Watching my wife go through menopause has shown me how deeply it affects her—and us as a family. She faced confusion, conflicting advice, and outdated information at every turn. Her persistence and courage helped her find what worked, but too many women are left navigating myths alone. It's time for better research, education, and support—for women and the loved ones who care for them.

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