The Nationals WA have passed a motion at the Party’s recent State Conference and Convention in Mandurah, calling on the Federal Government to increase investment in endometriosis research and improve access to support for women across Western Australia.
The motion highlights the need for stronger investment in women’s health, particularly in regional WA where access to specialist care remains limited.
Secretary of the WA Young Nationals, Sarah Neale, said while the establishment of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics was a positive step, women in WA are still being left behind.
“The Government has built just two clinics in Western Australia – located in Perth and Albany.
“That means 85,000 women are relying on two clinics to cover two and a half million square kilometres,” Miss Neale said.
“These clinics are already stretched thin, and women in regional WA deserve the same level of access to health care as those in the city.
“This motion makes it clear that The Nationals WA will continue to fight for regional women to have fair and equitable access to health services.”
Nationals WA Member for the Legislative Council, Julie Freeman, said endometriosis remains one of the most overlooked health challenges facing women today.
“Endometriosis affects one in seven women in Australia, with more than one million women diagnosed nationally,” Ms Freeman said.
“This is a chronic, incurable disease can be devastating — with women suffering from severe pain, fatigue, digestive dysfunction, fertility issues and the mental health toll that comes with it.
“Despite how common endometriosis is, the average diagnosis takes between 6.5 and 8 years, largely due to limited research and a lack of access to specialist care.
“The current approach of simply prescribing contraceptives is a bandaid, not a solution.
“We need more research, better training, and greater access to specialist care to ensure women aren’t forced to suffer in silence.”
The motion reinforces The Nationals WA long-standing commitment to standing up for regional communities and advocating for better health outcomes across the state.
