Tuesday, 11 August 2026

 Jacinta ERMACORA (Western Victoria) (14:46): I am delighted to welcome the opening of South West Healthcare’s new public menopause clinic at Warrnambool Base Hospital. Funded by the Victorian government through our women’s health clinics program, this will give women across the south-west access to specialist menopause care close to home and completely free of charge. Menopause and perimenopause affect women differently, and for some women symptoms can have significant impacts on their physical and mental health. For too long women have been expected to simply put up with it. The Carroll Labor government is changing that. The new clinic brings together a multidisciplinary team led by gynaecologist and clinical director Dr Rosy Buchanan and midwife and nurse specialist Sarah Pohlner. They are supported by a range of physiotherapy, social work, dietetics and continence services. They will also be able to receive referrals for support with pelvic pain, mental health, sexual health, sleep, diet and overall wellbeing. Women in regional Victoria deserve the same access to high-quality health care as women in the metropolitan areas. I congratulate South West Healthcare and all of the practitioners, and I encourage GPs and women in the south-west to reach out to that service.