Sally Sitou (Reid, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

At a women's health forum I held with the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney, women spoke openly about the challenges they've faced within the health system. They shared stories of being ignored, dismissed and discouraged. Their stories have stayed with me ever since. They deserve a government that is willing to invest in their health and their future. That's what this Labor government is doing. We've announced half a billion in funding to support better health outcomes for women—listing two contraceptive pills on the PBS, increasing Medicare payments on IUDs, more support for women experiencing menopause and more endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics.

I've created a Reid women's health reference group to support the courageous local women who are helping shine a light on women's health needs. I'm delighted that dozens of women are taking part in the group. They are GPs, surgeons, researchers, gynaecologists, physios and women with lived experience. They've identified the priority health issues for women in my local community, and it's wonderful to see some of those issues already being addressed by the Labor government. A member of that group said to me, 'Women shouldn't have to suffer in silence', and I'm pleased to be part of a government that is finally listening to women.

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