Men's Health and Wellbeing - International Men's Day 2025
 

                           Hon. Mike Gaffney MLC

                           Member for Mersey

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                           18 November 2025

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Mr President, this morning I would like to again focus on men’s health and wellbeing and in particular, International Men’s Day (IMD).

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IMD is globally recognised on 19 November and this year’s Australian theme is ‘Supporting Men and Boys’.

A key aim of IMD is to highlight various social issues that men and boys face, such as boys struggling at school or men grappling with their mental health.

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My fellow Honourable Members may recall that I have referenced IMD and men’s health and wellbeing more broadly, a number of times in this place in an effort to highlight the inequity of funding and the under-representation of men’s health and wellbeing resources in this state.

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I am pleased to say Mr President, that Tasmania has a number of grassroots and community based initiatives that work to reach men.  A few have some level of funding including The Men's Table and Men's Sheds, but the vast majority operate through volunteer passion and commitment.  These include Men Care Too, ManUp Tasmania, Tassie Blokes Speak, Building Pathways and Men’s Resources Tasmania (MRT).

Indeed Mr President, MRT a community-based not-for-profit organisation that actively supports and promotes the wellbeing of men and boys in Tasmania, has recently articulated some real and valid concerns to me. 

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MRT currently convenes the Tas Men's Health Network which meets bi-monthly and is well placed to play a coordinating role in Tasmanian men’s health and wellbeing issues.  However, it is evident, and disheartening, that energy and finances to support their ongoing efforts are dwindling.

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Mr President, MRT notes the lack of funding and paid positions means they cannot contribute local male perspectives into consultation, network meetings, forums, expos and events. Whilst there are indeed men in attendance at these events, they often don't have a male focus or a deeper understanding about the needs and concerns of males and the policy experience and expertise to bring nuanced and detailed contributions. 

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Mr President, the recently held 2025 National Men's Health Gathering in Brisbane, organised by the Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF), is the largest and only male health focused conference in Australia. 

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Conference attendees heard from various academics and other experts about the need for:

• State-based Men's Health Policies, that build on and fund the work of the National Men's Health Strategy.

• State-based strategies to address male suicide.

• Coordinated approaches to grassroots and community-based initiatives that work to reach men. 

 

Mr President, international best practice informs us that one of the key areas to improve men's access to healthcare is by developing male-friendly services.

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In 2020 the AMHF published a wonderful document, ‘Making Services Work for Men – A 10-Step Guide to Developing Male-Friendly Health Services’.  Indeed Mr President, I encourage Honourable Members and those in the healthcare industry to consider the information in this document that can be applied universally to a general population of men as well as being tailored to the diverse needs and preferences of different populations.

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We know the stats, Mr President, that males experience poorer health outcomes in many areas. The lack of male focused services in Tasmania further stigmatizes men at a time when the call for men to open up, speak up, and be vulnerable is only getting louder.

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Mr President, as the Tasmanian Government calls for budget submissions and considers its 2026-27 allocations, its clearly time, and dare I suggest it is long overdue, for an investment in men’s health.  Any dollar spent in men's wellbeing is an investment in the community.

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Mr President, one of the ways I am personally supporting IMD is by hosting a family picnic day, ‘BBQ at Bellsy’ on Sunday 16 November, from 12.00 noon to 2.30pm at Bells Parade, Latrobe.  This free community event will have sporting activities, live music, a BBQ lunch, coffee and ice-cream vans, community group displays, health checks, car displays, sword fighting display and even a Westie Rescue and Rehoming Tasmania fun day.

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For those that aren’t aware Mr President, Bells Parade is a tranquil and picturesque location of situated on the Latrobe inlet of the Mersey River.  Indeed Mr President, I have many fond memories of my wedding at Bells Parade however, my wife Mel may wish she had chosen to walk the dog and have a BBQ instead.

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In closing Mr President, there are many ways in which to recognise IMD so why not consider how you can support the men and boys in your life. It could be something as simple as reaching out to a loved one, checking in on an acquaintance, or just being there for a young male person who needs guidance or support.

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Thank you.

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