Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I never thought I'd come into the parliament and talk about semen, but here we are, and I'm thrilled to rise to the occasion because, while it's a topic that gets a few giggles, it's actually one that we need to take far more seriously, preferably before things go flaccid on us as a nation.

Right now, one in six couples needs help to start a family. Even though male factors are involved about half of the time, blokes have somehow managed to dodge this for decades—but not anymore, because in Newcastle we have an absolutely world-class team turning this whole field around. And, yes, they really are the masters of the reproductive arts. I'm talking about Leanne Murray, Geoff De lulliis, Rich Kahl, Eddie O'Reilly, Neredah Goodwin and Dr John Schjenken—researchers who are genuinely leading the world in understanding sperm health, environmental impacts and what actually makes a healthy baby. They are tackling everything from heat stress, PFAS, diet, stress and all the things that can shrink a bloke's—chances! Their work means earlier advice, better IVF outcomes and fewer couples going through the heartbreak of not being able to get pregnant.

Here's the big message. Male reproductive health isn't a joke, but, if a few cheeky lines from us helps get young blokes paying attention, then I'm more than happy to have them keep coming. To the team at Newcastle: keep up the hard work and make sure our swimmers get to that goal. Cheers.