House debates

Monday, 21 November 2022

Statements by Members

Youth Voice In Parliament Week

4:22 pm

Photo of Libby CokerLibby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I'd like to read a Raise Our Voice Australia's Youth Voice in Parliament Week speech from a young woman in my electorate. She writes:

My name is Charlotte Mullens. Like one in nine females in Australia, I live with endometriosis.

What I want our new parliament to achieve is tangible progress to support changes in endometriosis treatments.

This disease is more than just a bad period. It is debilitating and life-altering.

Currently, the gold standard for treatment is laparoscopic surgery. But, even after surgery, this disease continues to take us out of the classroom, the workforce, and our lives.

Instead, it could be research into cutting-edge treatments recognizing genetic markers.

Perhaps setting national standards to regulate which doctors can complete surgeries to treat endometriosis or improve access to care outside major cities.

Or investing into education programs to support young people to spot the signs of gynaecological diseases.

I am a motivated, driven young woman, eager to do anything to achieve my dreams.

But when some of our best specialists suggest there is nothing else I can do to stop my periods from leaving me bedridden, it is absolutely heartbreaking.

You have the power to change the reality for people with endometriosis.

Thank you, Charlotte. We are listening. That's why the Albanese government is introducing 10 endometriosis clinics across our nation.