TRANSCRIPT
It's an election pitch advocates say half the population has been hoping to hear.
"It's about more choices for women. It's about cheaper access to health care and better access to health care. That's what this package is about."
Minister for Women Katie Gallagher announcing $573 million in funding for women's health, to go towards cheaper medication, expanded bulk billing, and clinics that treat endometriosis.
The senator says the cost of popular contraceptive pills and menopause medication will be halved for the first time in decades.
It's recognition of the healthcare realities faced by 150 thousand women like Allie Pepper.
"So, I actually saw three GPs that couldn't help. Menopause hit me three years ago and yeah I didn't even know it was menopause. So I was just in shock, I couldn't sleep all of a sudden, I was dripping in sweat."
The professional mountaineer experienced severe symptoms including brain fog, and depression that cleared after she began accessing hormone therapy.
Some of those therapies will soon be listed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme and become cheaper from March.
The government says out-of-pocket costs for Estrogel, Prometrium, and Estrogel Pro are due to come down by almost $300 per year.
That's in addition to the introduction of Medicare rebates for menopause health checks.
The package will see popular contraceptive pills made more affordable too.
The drugs Yaz and Yasmin will be less than half their current price, which the government says will slash annual costs from $380 a year to $126 per year.
Katie Gallagher says the suite of initiatives will help millions of women get better care.
"This is all about making sure we're addressing areas where it's been unfair or unaffordable for women, to make sure that they are able to access contraception, that they're able to access menopause support, health assessments that GPs are rewarded and supported to be providing that care, and also to make sure that women who are on the lowest incomes are able to access care through pharmacies."
Other elements of the package would come into effect only after the election - which must be held before May 17.
These include $100 million to trial over-the-counter access to medication for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, and bulk billing for the insertion of IUDs and implanons.
That's aimed at boosting Australia' uptake of long-term birth control, which the government says is lower than comparable countries.
Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney says cost and pain have been key deterrents, announcing $25 million to support better training for healthcare providers.
"A lot of health professionals tell me that a lot of the pain is due to imperfect insertion and technique, and that if we can get that right, that will go a long way to controlling that pain, but also we are reviewing guidelines, or there has been a review of the guidelines by RANZCOG, around pain management and advice to patients when they do actually present for an IUD insertion."
The pain of women suffering with endometriosis was also acknowledged, with 11 additional endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics promised in the next term.
This builds on 22 clinics established across the past three years.
Chair of the Family Planning Alliance, Caroline Mulcahy says the package signals a significant shift.
"We are absolutely thrilled that the ministers and the Albanese government have listened to women and girls across Australia, and I'd like to thank thank minister Kearney and senator Waters for holding the two senate inquiries into accessible and affordable reproductive health care and also perimenopause and menopause. It's actually the first time, I think, women have actually had these concerns and their reproductive and sexual challenges recognised and acknowledge by a government. So thank you."
With the policy set to save a significant number of women money, Labor will be hoping this cost-of-living help is a vote winner - especially after suffering a 10 per cent swing in a state by-election at the outer-suburban seat of Werribee in Melbourne this weekend.
The Coalition - which saw its vote among women plummet at the last election - quickly backed the plan in.
Anne Ruston is the shadow health minister.
"The Coalition will match the entire package of women's health measures that have been announced by the government, because we believe that Australian women should have both affordable and timely access to the primary care needs that are being supported by this package."
A rare show of agreement as we prepare for an election that could be called any day.
