Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Home Ownership) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Everyone is concerned that people can be suffering from very poor mental health outcomes if they are lonely. Loneliness has been a significant scourge in recent years. One particular measure which has been deployed by various governments working with civil society and community groups has been the men's shed.

There are over 400 men's sheds in New South Wales. Recently I was able to visit one in Waverley with the Liberal candidate for Wentworth, Ro Knox. When visiting the Waverley Men's Shed, I was reminded of the disappointment my own father has in my inability to use tools. It was so good to see men coming together to build particular pieces that would benefit community groups and individuals that have no other way of solving sometimes complex problems. Ladders and particular pieces of equipment are lovingly made in that men's shed and men's sheds across New South Wales.

It is really important that we find creative solutions not only for people who are looking to do good things for the community but also for those suffering from social isolation and from loneliness. Even just talking about it can be a useful thing for all of us. There are concerns that this particular men's shed may be unviable in its current form in terms of not having a location, as it is part of a broader development by Uniting. I'm very keen, as is Ro, to make sure this men's shed and all men's sheds across New South Wales are maintained for the benefit of the community.