Thursday, 8 February 2024

Ministers statements: sanitary products

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Jobs and Industry, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Women) (14:27): I am really excited to be able to update the house today about the Allan Labor government’s commitment to making sure that women and girls are getting the necessary sanitary products that they need. With students now back at school they will once again have access to free sanitary products, for a sixth consecutive year, saving families hard-earned dollars. We are the first state in Australia to make pads and tampons freely available in public schools, and we are not stopping there, with pad and tampon vending machines rolling out across public places across the state later this year.

I recently visited Clarinda Library with the member for Clarinda and the Kingston mayor, and we heard how this will benefit local library users. We know that for too long periods have been stigmatised, creating discomfort and embarrassment for women and girls when they get stuck without products. Many of us in this room would know as parents what it is like to have your daughter ring up and say that she needs urgent attention in this area. So women need to be able to access period products wherever they need them, whenever they need them. This program will continue to roll out and deliver pads and tampons, because we know they are not a luxury, they are a necessity.