Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I won't beat around the bush. Women have been let down due to gaps in medical research, diagnoses, funding and health services associated with their health. Women have been dismissed, overlooked and underserved by a system that was never designed with their needs in mind. For decades, women's pain has been dismissed, their diagnoses delayed and their health deprioritised. I thank the member for Mayo for bringing this matter of public importance on women's health to this place because it's something that we all need to hear about and talk about.

I say to the member for Mayo and to all those listening to this debate that, as a government, under the leadership of the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, we are doing a lot to address inequality in women's health, and rightly so. We're addressing with urgency and purpose the painful delays, the funding gaps and the discrimination embedded in health care. From investments to targeted reforms, we're making it clear that women's health can no longer be sidelined. We are committed to listening to women, to understanding their unique health challenges and dismantling the structural inequalities that have persisted in the medical system for far too long.

I'm very fortunate to be able to share one example of this action delivered in my region. During Women's Health Week I had the privilege of visiting the Hunters Hill Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic with the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care. It was really inspiring to see the dedicated work happening there. This clinic is one of 22 established across the country as part of a $58 million initiative. It's a place where women can receive the multidisciplinary care they need, from pain management to specialist consultations, all in one location. This model should be the standard and not exceptional. The opening of this clinic is a step towards ensuring women are seen, heard and treated with the care that they deserve.

To me, it's outstanding that, on average, it takes seven to nine years for a woman to receive an endometriosis diagnosis. Imagine enduring seven to nine years of pain, frustration and uncertainty all while being told it's just part of being a woman, seven to nine years of pain often dismissed by healthcare providers as normal or psychosomatic, seven to nine years of suffering in silence, seven to nine years spent waiting for someone to take your symptoms seriously. That isn't just a delay; it's a denial of care and dignity.

I'd like to ask every man in this place and in this country to picture what it would be like going to your doctor, describing severe and ongoing pain, and being told time and time again that it's just stress, in your head or a normal part of being a man. What if for nearly a decade your pain was dismissed, chalked up to overthinking or a lack of resilience? That's the experience of countless women in the health system. It's a systemic failure, it's not good enough and it's long past time we addressed it.

That's why this government is taking action. We are committed to delivering a healthcare system that works for everyone, not just some. We're prioritising issues like reproductive health, mental health and chronic conditions affecting women, backed by over $350 million in dedicated funding. We are advancing targeted solutions for women's health needs. Our commitment goes beyond the clinics I mentioned earlier. We're funding specialised training for healthcare providers and reducing diagnostic delays that have held women back for far too long. By investing in this training, we're creating a health system equipped to address the complex realities of women's health.

We're also expanding mental health services for women, with a focus on those affected by trauma and postpartum issues. By creating more trauma informed support, we want to build a mental health response that genuinely supports women and recognises their unique experiences. We're adding vital services to the Medicare Benefits Schedule that directly benefit women. This will mean more appointments, more subsidised treatments and easier access to essential health care. When it comes to preventive health care, we're not taking shortcuts. By expanding cancer screening programs for breast and cervical cancer and investing in more awareness activities, we're helping more women catch these diseases early, ensuring better outcomes and relieving the emotional and financial burden of late diagnosis.

To every woman who has been told to wait, to bear it or to be strong, I want you to know that this government hears you. Under the guidance of the health and aged care minister and his very hardworking and committed assistant minister, I have absolute confidence that they will build a health system that respects women's experiences and affirms their dignity.

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