Page 1780 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 7 June 2023
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Mr Parton’s amendment, as amended, to Mr Steel’s amendment agreed to.
Mr Steel’s amendment, as amended, agreed to.
MR PARTON (Brindabella) (4.35): I want very briefly to go on the record and say that this was the second opportunity that this government had to rule out the establishment of a petrol-powered-car-free zone in Canberra, and they have chosen not to put it to bed; they have chosen not to rule it out. It was a very clear opportunity for them to do it. They have indicated they are not doing it, but they had the ability to rule it out, in the form of these amendments, and they have chosen not to do it. I think that is extremely telling.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
Period Products and Facilities (Access) Bill 2022
Debate resumed from 4 August 2022, on motion by Ms Orr:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MS LAWDER (Brindabella) (4.36): It is a pleasure to rise today to speak in support of the Period Products and Facilities (Access) Bill 2022. Firstly, I would like to thank Ms Orr for all the work she and her team have done on this issue and for bringing forth this legislation today.
This bill aims to reduce and prevent period poverty in the ACT by providing period products at suitable places such as schools, libraries and other community facilities; by providing information on menstruation and menstrual hygiene; and by improving access to toilet facilities.
In 2021, a report commissioned by Share the Dignity, entitled Period pride report: Bloody Big Survey findings, examined the prevalence of period poverty within Australia.
Period poverty is a lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management or a combination of these. The Bloody Big Survey found that more than one in five Australians are using toilet paper, socks or other unsuitable alternatives to manage their periods because they cannot afford menstrual products.
Period poverty is just one issue with the social stigma and the negative physical impacts periods can have impacting people’s day to day lives. Of the 125,000 respondents, 48 per cent at least sometimes missed class due to their periods, 40 per cent at least sometimes called in sick to work due to their periods and 51 per cent at least sometimes missed out on socialising with their friends because of their periods.
Period poverty is an incredibly complex issue, which the stigma associated with periods only worsens. This legislation today aims to reduce period poverty within our community, and the Canberra Liberals are pleased to support this bill today.
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