Radio interview with Assistant Minister White, ABC Radio Hobart – 3 July 2026

Media event date: 3 July 2026 Date published: 3 July 2026 Media type: General public KYLIE BAXTER, HOST: Let’s find out what Rebecca White thinks – the Federal Assistant Minister for Health and Women. She joins us now on the Drive program. Hi, Rebecca.

REBECCA WHITE, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGEING: Do you believe our health system is weighted towards, I don’t know, male experience and, you know, some of this discussion about misogyny? What are your views? Well, it’s not just my view – I think the evidence tells us that too.

And that leads back to way clinical trials are conducted – women weren’t included in clinical trials in Australia until the 1990’s. And so, a lot of the evidence that guides the way that doctors are trained and then are supposed to diagnose are based on the male model of healthcare. And women aren’t just little men; there are lots of differences between men and women biologically that need to be accounted for.

So, right from the fact that a lot of clinical trials that then guide how medicines are dispensed and used in treating different conditions, through to how we diagnose different conditions, is still heavily weighted toward a male version of healthcare. So, there’s been a lot of gender bias that we are trying to break down and address. We are working very effectively doing that in some areas, but there’s still a way to go.

And so, you know, as the Federal Assistant Minister for Health and Women, what are you hearing from women – I mean, specifically the female constituents of Lyons? I’m hearing that they’re pleased to see our Government responding to their concerns. We had two Senate inquiries in the last term where women were able to share their perspectives and through that our Government responded with a landmark win health package.

You referenced in the conversation you just had before the work that we’re doing through family planning here in Tasmania, so that is part of our endometriosis and pelvic pain network - there are 33 across the country. And from 1 July this year they’ve also expanded to provide menopause and perimenopause support. We’ve launched a perimenopause and menopause public awareness campaign and resources that go alongside that – training for doctors that is funding them to gain new skills and new guidelines that are supporting them with their education.

We’ve listed more medicines on the PBS, because we know that cost has been a big barrier for women, that’s what they told us. We haven’t seen a new contraceptive listed on the PBS for 30 years, so we’ve done that. Gee, that seems incredible.

Wow, 30 years. Exactly. Look, I think there’s a reflection on also who’s at the table making these decisions, and I’m pleased to see more women in leadership lending their voices to the decisions that are made.

And not only have we been able to list more contraceptives on the PBS, but more hormone therapies and medicines for endometriosis too. So, where women would’ve been hundreds of dollars out of pocket, it’s now $25 per script. So cost, we’re trying to break down some of the barriers there, access to some of these medicines.

And also dealing with the ability for them to go and have a consultation with a GP or someone who has specialist knowledge in women’s health so they can find answers to the questions they’ve got. Really good advice, and good to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks so much for joining me.

Rebecca White there, the Assistant Federal Minister for Health. The Hon Rebecca White MP Women's health Accessibility We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past and present. © Commonwealth of Australia