Wednesday, 13 August 2025

Ministers statements: period products

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Government Services, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Women) (14:21): I rise to update the house on how this side of the chamber continues to back women with our free pads and tampons program. We have reached a huge milestone, and that is that our free, easy-to-use vending machines have issued more than 100,000 products. We expect this number to only increase, with machines being rolled out into popular venues like the State Netball and Hockey Centre, where 80 per cent of the patrons are women and girls. We also are seeing machines roll out at Ikon Park and the MCG. They will join of course machines that are already operating in the public spaces of our hospitals, libraries, community centres and many other venues that are supplying free pads and tampons to Victorians every day.

The Leader of the Opposition, the member for Berwick, will be happy to know that he has already got four machines in his electorate, and he can get out and about and celebrate this if he can find it in his vocabulary to say the word ‘period’. The member for Caulfield, the deputy leader, also has four dispensers supplying his constituency, giving out free pads and tampons. Perhaps the two members could pass that on to their leader in the upper house, because we know that that particular individual struggles to listen to women. There have also been 40 free pad and tampon machines issued in his electorate.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, this is an absolute disgrace. This minister, who is not even doing her job of protecting children, is in the gutter.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Brighton will resume his seat. That is not a point of order.

Natalie HUTCHINS: Finally, I am sad that the member for Lowan is not here to celebrate the fact that there are five machines in the electorate of Lowan.

The SPEAKER: Make sure this is a point of order, member for Brighton.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity for ministers to behave like grubs.

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order.

Natalie HUTCHINS: It is policies like this that are standing up for women, whether it is our safety package or free pads and tampons.