Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Di Natale, move:

That the Senate—

(a) acknowledges that:

  (i) a class action against companies owned by Johnson & Johnson, on behalf of 1350 Australian women who had transvaginal mesh and tape products implanted was won last week,

  (ii) thousands of women have been left in severe, debilitating and chronic pain, as well as suffering a significant psychological toll as a result of transvaginal mesh devices,

  (iii) transvaginal mesh devices were not properly tested for safety before being allowed onto the Australian market, though Johnson & Johnson, and the associated companies, were aware of the potential for serious complications and they aggressively promoted and marketed them as a cheap and a relatively risk-free way to boost profits,

  (iv) women were frequently not believed when they told doctors of pain and symptoms, and

  (v) women are still not getting the care and support that they need;

(b) notes that not all the recommendations contained in the 2018 report of the Community Affairs References Committee, Number of women in Australia who have had transvaginal mesh implants and related matters, have been implemented; and

(c) calls on the Australian Government to implement recommendation no. 13 to ensure the women affected by mesh have access to the full suite of services and supports they need.