Wednesday, 17 June 2026

 Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (19:06): (1712) My adjournment is for the Minister for Health, and I seek an update on the establishment of a women’s health clinic in the Royal Children’s Hospital dedicated to supporting adolescents and girls. Throughout the inquiry into women’s pain, and as Parliamentary Secretary for Women’s Health, I heard powerful and often heartbreaking stories from women whose pain began in childhood or adolescence but who were dismissed, ignored or told that severe pain was simply a normal part of being a girl. For many, this led to years of unnecessary suffering, delayed diagnosis and poorer health outcomes. For a teenager, unmanaged pelvic pain is about far more than physical discomfort. It can mean missing classes, falling behind at school, withdrawing from sport, cancelling social activities and feeling isolated from friends. At a critical stage of development, chronic pain can shape a young person’s confidence, their mental health and their opportunities.

The inquiry made it clear that early intervention matters. We know that identifying and treating pelvic pain early can have a profound impact on a person’s health, wellbeing and quality of life across their lifetime. That is why I am proud that the Allan Labor government is delivering the most significant investment in women’s health in Victoria’s history. As part of the establishment of 20 women’s health clinics across Victoria, we are delivering a dedicated clinic for Victorian adolescents and girls under 18 at the Royal Children’s Hospital, ensuring that young Victorians can access specialist care tailored to their needs. Importantly, this work is not occurring in isolation. We are also delivering pelvic pain and menstrual health education in schools, helping girls and boys understand that pain which prevents them from attending school, participating in sport or living their lives is not something they should simply have to accept.

Young people deserve to know when to seek help and where to get help. Equally, clinicians deserve the tools and expertise to provide that help. Early intervention is not only about improving access to care today, it is also about building the evidence and expertise that will improve care into the future. That is why we are funding critical research through our women’s health catalyst grants, and that includes research focused on better managing pelvic pain through early intervention. The dedicated clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital is an important opportunity to improve access to specialist care, build clinical expertise across Victoria and ensure that girls and young women receive the support they need before pain becomes a lifelong burden.

This is reform that only a Labor government will focus on and deliver for Victorians. Only Labor will increase women’s rights to health care, not roll back their rights as One Nation and certainly the Liberals will do. I look forward to seeing the progress of this new clinic and the role it will play in improving care for Victorian girls and young women experiencing pelvic pain.