Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (09:58): I rise today to send strength to the thousands of Australian women living with endometriosis who have been left feeling devastated and disorientated by the recent media reports regarding their medical treatment. Endo is already delegitimised, denied and considered as nothing more than a bad period. There has been around five times more research conducted into erectile dysfunction compared to endo, and examples of research conducted include rating the attractiveness of women who have the disease.

We already know women’s health is not taken seriously and people with endo are used to being gaslit and ignored, which is why the ABC’s investigation into a former Melbourne gynaecologist has been so deeply distressing, proving that even when someone has fought for acknowledgement from our misogynistic medical system they are still at risk of receiving inadequate care or worse. Patients have been left mutilated after unnecessary operations. Some did not even have the disease at all. Some now face infertility. Others have ongoing physical and emotional pain, feelings of violation and fear about accessing future care.

We should be able to trust clinicians with our health, our bodies and our futures, and importantly, we cannot let the unforgivable actions of one disgraceful man impact access to diagnosis and care. To every survivor and to those seeking answers and justice: please know that you are seen, you are heard and you have my unwavering support and solidarity.