Parties Fighting for Men’s Wellbeing as Labor Commits $32 Million
Labor has announced that it will increase funding for men’s health by $32 million if re-elected in May. The additional funding will be allocated to raise awareness and provide training to support men’s health initiatives, such as Men’s Shed, which advocates for the establishment of more male-centered spaces. Health Minister Mark Butler emphasized that this investment would promote awareness and support community organizations working on men’s wellbeing.
A portion of the $32 million will be used to assist the Movember charity in launching a new campaign to encourage men to prioritize health check-ups and to better equip healthcare providers. Butler stated, “Too many men delay taking care of their health, so this investment by Labor into Movember’s training will ensure that doctors and nurses have the necessary tools to assist men.”
The Black Dog Institute will receive $2 million from this funding if Labor is re-elected. This announcement comes amidst ongoing healthcare pledges from both parties leading up to the election on May 3. Labor has also committed to initiatives like increasing funding for bulk-billing medical appointments, expanding free urgent care clinics, reducing the cost of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications, and including oral contraceptives and endometriosis treatment on the PBS list.
Labor has earmarked a billion dollars for mental health services, while the Coalition has made similar commitments, including additional funding for Medicare and a cap on PBS medicine prices. They have also pledged funds for women’s health and mental health treatment subsidies. Greens Leader Adam Bandt has advocated for free dental services funded by Medicare, highlighting the need for affordable dental care. He believes that the formation of a minority government could drive this change.
