Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to make a contribution on this matter, and I can't not take the opportunity to speak about the affordability, or lack thereof, of period products for people on the NDIS and living with a disability. Among the many problems with the NDIS bill is a plan to exclude period products from the list of eligible products that can be purchased with NDIS funds. This is absolutely the wrong policy.

The recent Bloody Big Survey done by that fabulous organisation Share the Dignity found that 78 per cent of people with a disability or a chronic condition are already struggling to afford period products. Making those products less affordable by prohibiting people from using their NDIS supports to purchase period products would make that statistic even higher. I would've thought that, if the government had information that 78 per cent of people on the NDIS already can't afford period products, maybe they'd be thinking about making those products more affordable. Instead, we see a proposal to remove period products from that list of things that can be purchased. It absolutely boggles the mind.

Menstrual products have been categorised as 'lifestyle related', rather than as an essential assistive product for personal care. I mean, hello! I thought we'd had this debate, when we finally had the GST removed from tampons, pads and other period products. Having periods is not a luxury. These are not luxury items. I thought this chamber had already agreed with that proposition. Menstrual products are not a luxury; they are essential to maintaining health and hygiene. Categorising them as 'lifestyle related' ignores the realities of people with disabilities and it prevents them from accessing the menstrual products that they need for basic hygiene. It also further marginalises those already facing significant barriers to health care.

Now, I note that the consultation on this proposed list has been extended, and I welcome that, but it was two weeks and now it's three weeks. That is not a decent period of consultation. As my outstanding colleague said, he's got milk in his fridge that lasts longer than this consultation period.

We are urging this government to listen to people's feedback and to ensure that people with a disability can access the essential period products that they need. The Greens believe that everyone should be able to manage their period with dignity, and that means making period products more affordable and more accessible for everyone, not less affordable or less accessible—particularly not for people with disabilities.

Menstruating isn't a choice, but those who are experiencing period poverty often have to choose between period products and other essential items, just to get by. The Labor Party told us that there would be no cuts to the NDIS under their government. Disabled people who menstruate need to see them keep that promise, and I am absolutely heartbroken that, here we are, having a debate about cutting even more funding from people with a disability and doing absolutely nothing—in fact, making it harder—for the 78 per cent of people on the NDIS who already can't afford period products.

Is this government completely not listening to the concerns of folk on the NDIS? That's what it sounds like. I was going to say, 'Is this government completely deaf to those concerns?' but I caught myself before I said it. I think people with disability on the NDIS will be absolutely outraged that, once again, they're being punched down upon by a government that said it would stick with them.