DAN REPACHOLI MP, SPECIAL ENOVOY FOR MEN’S HEALTH:
Today is about sending a clear message to the young blokes of Australia: we know you’re hurting, we know you’re doing it tough, and we know we need to do better.
It’s an absolute pleasure to be here with David, Aaron, Ben and Jen from The Man Cave, along with the young men behind us, to say loudly and clearly: we are listening, and we are here to support you.
That’s why we’re launching the Parliamentary Friends of Healthy Masculinities. I couldn’t be prouder of everyone standing with me today. Young Aussie men are struggling, particularly when it comes to talking about feelings and emotions. That’s why this work matters.
It’s about respect. It’s about helping young men understand healthy masculinity in a world that is far more challenging than when I was growing up. With everything they face online and in daily life, they need guidance and role models more than ever – and that’s exactly what this parliamentary group is here to do.
We’re working together – bipartisan and across all levels of government – to support young men. Research from The Man Cave shows that 1 in 2 young men identify mental health as their biggest issue. Those numbers are alarming. That’s not a niche problem; that’s a national challenge that will have consequences for decades if we don’t act.
While David, Aaron and I don’t agree on everything in this building, we are rock solid on this: we need to do better for boys and young men in Australia. They will become the men, the mentors, the dads, the role models of tomorrow. If we help them now – if we teach respect, communication, empathy – we build stronger communities for generations.
To the young blokes listening today: you are not alone. It’s not weak to speak – it's strong. Look after yourselves, look after your mates, and keep checking in with each other. Have the conversations, even when they feel uncomfortable. Treat people with the same respect you want for yourself.
I’ll now hand over to Aaron.
AARON VIOLI MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CASEY:
Thanks, Dan. It’s wonderful to be here supporting the launch of this parliamentary friendship group.
Dan, David and I all grew up in a generation where men weren’t encouraged to talk about their feelings. In sport – which these 2 played at much higher levels than I did – we were told to bottle things up, show strength, and never show vulnerability.
But as Dan said, it ain’t weak to speak.
Young men need the space to talk about what they’re going through – safely, respectfully, and without judgement. That’s why organisations like The Man Cave are so important: they provide structure and guidance for conversations that many young men simply don’t know how to start.
Your feelings are your feelings – they’re normal – and talking about them is healthy.
When we invest in young men, we invest in Australia. If the individual is strong, the family is strong. If families are strong, communities are strong. And strong communities build a strong nation.
This group has bipartisan – actually tri-partisan – support. We’ll keep working together to back organisations that help young blokes navigate life and become the great men we know they can be.
I’ll now pass to Senator Pocock.
SENATOR DAVID POCOCK, SENATOR FOR ACT:
Thanks, Aaron. I want to acknowledge both Dan and Aaron for their leadership.
We hear a lot about toxic masculinity – and there’s absolutely a need for men to step up, particularly around issues like family and domestic violence and mental health. But this group is about talking proactively about healthy masculinity.
What does it mean to be a young man forming your identity? What does it mean to have tough conversations with peers? Young people are facing enormous challenges, and we need to normalise vulnerability and honest conversations.
That’s what The Man Cave does so well. Their research and results show that this model works. Every boy and young man should have the chance to learn these skills – in schools, in communities, and with trusted adults.
Again, thanks to Dan, Aaron, The Man Cave team, and the young men here today.
BEN VASILOU, CEO, THE MAN CAVE:
Thanks, gents.
G’day everyone – Ben Vasilou, very proud CEO of The Man Cave.
What a day. Not only are we celebrating reaching 100,000 teenage boys and young men, but we’re doing it on International Men's Day, with this year’s theme focusing on helping boys and men be the best versions of themselves.
Today is also historic: 3 parliamentarians behind me – Dan, Aaron and David – along with many others, have joined Australia’s first ever Parliamentary Friends Group for Healthy Masculinity.
From our work with 100,000 boys, we know:
1 in 5 boys doesn’t have a positive male role model
50% are experiencing some level of mental health distress
And too often, boys are spoken about as a 'problem' rather than with hope and optimism
Traditional masculine traits – being strong, stoic, a provider, a protector – are valuable. We’re not asking boys to abandon them. We’re asking them to add to them: emotional expression, tenderness as strength, respect, handling rejection and fear, and looking after their mates.
We’ve reached 100,000 boys – but there are 2.4 million more who need support. This parliamentary group is a vehicle for not just policy, but proper funding that reaches frontline programs.
And behind me are four outstanding young men – the future of this country. They deserve kindness, strength, guidance and great role models.
Thank you for supporting them, and supporting this work.
JOURANLIST:
What about adults who missed this support growing up?
VASILOU:
The conversation must also include adults. Shaming and blaming doesn’t work — though accountability absolutely matters. Men need to call out their mates, but we also need to 'call in' men who want to do better.
We’re not talking about fluffy conversations – we’re talking about practical, human connection. Step away from the noise, be honest with each other, and talk about real issues: relationships, parenting, stress, failure.
This work must be led by men and boys. Women have asked us to show up differently for decades. Now we must step up.
Given 75% of suicides are men and 95% of violence against women and children is perpetrated by men, this work is urgent.
JOURANLIST:
Dan, what more can government do beyond funding programs like The Man Cave?
REPACHOLI:
Right now, we’re listening. If we already knew the answers, we’d have fixed this long ago.
Since becoming Special Envoy for Men’s Health, I’ve been meeting with groups like The Man Cave, Top Blokes, The Fathering Project, Movember, Men’s Sheds, and countless community organisations.
We’re listening to stakeholders – and importantly, to everyday men and women — about their real pinch points. If what we hear on the ground doesn’t match what stakeholders say, then simply throwing more money at the top won’t fix the problem.
We must follow the data, the research, and fund what actually works.
And while we do that, we’re urging men everywhere – at footy clubs, cricket clubs, shooting ranges, chess clubs – to see their GP. If 10% more Aussie men got an annual blood test, we would save thousands of lives.
Men service their cars every 10,000 kilometres. But we don’t service ourselves. Our families deserve us to look after ourselves and stay around as long as possible.
JOURNALIST:
Senator Pocock – what does positive masculinity look like?
POCOCK:
It’s men willing to talk openly about what it means to be a man, with honesty and vulnerability. None of us have it all together – and recognising that is part of being human.
We hear a lot about toxic masculinity, which is necessary to call out harmful behaviour. But we also need to celebrate men who serve their communities, challenge stereotypes, and show healthier examples. The more we highlight that, the more young men can see a positive path.
JOURNALIST:
To each of you – when were you vulnerable, and what held you back?
VIOLI:
My parents separated when I was in Grade 6, and I struggled without a father figure at home. Sport became my safe space – and I was lucky to find good role models. Not everyone gets that.
Looking back, like many young men, I self-medicated through alcohol. That was a cultural norm, but it wasn’t healthy. I’m grateful I got through it, and I want young men to know that no one has it all together. A problem shared is a problem halved.
REPACHOLI:
I’ve represented Australia in pistol shooting for 25 years – 5 Olympics, 3 Commonwealth Games medals. I’ve had access to every performance coach, physio, nutritionist, mental skills expert.
But despite all that, I let myself reach 152 kilos. I tried every quick fix – shakes, diets, you name it. Eventually I asked a couple of GP colleagues here in parliament for advice, hoping for an easy option. They told me bluntly: go see your GP.
I didn’t want to. I was embarrassed. My GP of 15 years knew everything about me except the thing I was most ashamed of – my weight. But I finally had the hard conversation. It changed everything. I’m now 35 kilos lighter, with more to go.
If someone like me – an MP, an ex-athlete – struggled to have that conversation, then imagine how hard it is for the average bloke. That’s why I tell this story. If we’re vulnerable, others might feel safe to be vulnerable too.
POCOCK:
In 2010, I started having recurring nightmares. My wife encouraged me to see a therapist. I’ve done so ever since, and it’s been life-changing. You think you should 'tough it out', especially as a man, but getting help has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.