Thursday, 28 November 2024

 Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Minister for Planning, Minister for the Suburbs) (11:30): It is a privilege in this role meeting so many diverse and wonderful Victorians, and so it was meeting Maria Harran for coffee recently. Our conversation quickly turned to women’s health, and we could have spoken for hours, such is Maria’s insight, experience and determination for change. Maria, her friend Julia Browne and others are helping to elevate the voices of women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. They have formed the Peri Pausers, an Instagram chat group, so women can share experiences. They have hit the media, and they are making a difference.

There is a gender gap in health care, something the Allan Labor government is already working to fix, with big investments in 20 specialised women’s clinics around the state, including in Frankston; expanding our sexual and reproductive health hubs network; doubling the number of laparoscopies for endometriosis and associated conditions; and providing scholarships for more than 100 women’s health specialists. Thank you, Maria and Julia and the thousands and thousands of Victorian women who are helping us to deliver a complete transformation of women’s health in Victoria.