Thursday, 19 February 2026

 Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Minister for Women) (14:23): I rise to update the house on how this government is saving Victorians time and money through the delivery of free pads and tampons right throughout Victoria. I am proud to announce that women and girls now have access to free period products from vending machines in every shire and municipality in our state. Anyone that has ever been caught short knows how absolutely important this initiative is. We also know that for many women period poverty is real and they cannot afford to buy essential period products. That is why our government is making period products available in key public locations, like libraries, courts, hospitals and sports centres, and with more than 900 machines now in over 500 venues we are saving money for Victorians where and when they need it. Women and girls can find their closest machine through the Better Health Channel website. The Allan Labor government is absolutely serious about the cost-of-living challenges Victorians are facing. As of this morning, our pads and tampons vending machines have been accessed more than 490,000 times.

This is an initiative that is also about driving down the stigma that is still attached to periods. There is no shame in getting your period. What is shameful, however, is the behaviour of the member for Brighton. The last time the Minister for Women raised this matter in this chamber –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Member for Brighton! I will not tolerate this kind of unparliamentary language across the table. If you wish to raise a point of order, do so respectfully.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker: standing order 118.

The SPEAKER: I ask you not to impugn members of Parliament.

Mary-Anne THOMAS: The member for Brighton just called me a grub, and I ask that you ask him to retract that.

The SPEAKER: Member for Brighton, I ask you to withdraw.

James Newbury: I withdraw. On a point of order, Speaker, I take personal offence at the claim the minister just made and I ask her to withdraw.

The SPEAKER: The minister will withdraw.

Mary-Anne THOMAS: I withdraw. I was making the point that there has been shameful behaviour, and it refers to the member for Brighton. When the then Minister for Women rose in this place to talk about our free pads and tampons initiative, the member for Brighton called her a grub, just as he has called me a grub today. That is shameful, shameful behaviour.