RICHARD KING, HOST: It’s Men’s Health Week. We’ve been talking about it all week, and the Federal Government’s Special Envoy for Men’s Health is a local, the Member for Hunter, Labor’s Dan Repacholi. He’s had a busy week and he’s on the line. Good morning, Dan.
DAN REPACHOLI MP, SPECIAL ENVOY FOR MEN’S HEALTH: Good morning, Richard, and good morning listeners. Happy Men’s Health Week.
KING: Happy Men’s Health Week. What’s the major message you want to get through during Men’s Health Week as the Special Envoy for Men’s Health?
REPACHOLI: There are a few key messages. Number one is making sure you get to your GP, have a conversation with them and get a blood test. That’s the check-in. On Monday, with Western Sydney University and Healthy Male, we launched “101 Reasons Why to Go See Your GP” because, as blokes, we can make up 100 reasons why not to, but we really need to focus on the reasons why we should.
Yesterday we spent time with Deadly Choices talking about Indigenous health and making sure Indigenous Australians are getting on top of their health as well. Today, during Men’s Health Week, we’re talking about bowel cancer as part of Red Apple Day, shining a spotlight on bowel cancer because it affects thousands of men every year and 54 men die every week from the disease. This is something we can get on top of.
Unfortunately, only around 42 per cent of the free bowel screening kits sent out are returned. This is the only time you can send a bit of crap back to government, so we need to make sure we’re doing it because 54 men dying every week is too many.
KING: I didn’t realise it was only 42 per cent. They’re free, they come in the mail and it’s not that hard. I also noticed you put up a post about one of the unmentionables – erectile dysfunction. It impacts a lot of men, but like many men’s health issues, men are reluctant to talk about it.
REPACHOLI: Most certainly, Richard. Unfortunately, for blokes experiencing erectile dysfunction, simply jumping online and grabbing pills isn’t necessarily the answer. There is usually an underlying reason for ED, and it’s something we don’t talk about because we’re embarrassed.
The same goes for prostate cancer, bowel cancer and many other health issues. If you’re struggling with erectile dysfunction, or if your partner is, please go and see your GP and get a full check-up because it can often be masking another health issue. It’s crucial that we do that.
We all want to have a healthy and happy sex life, and if we look after our health and have those conversations with our GP, it can make a real difference. If we can get just 10 per cent more Aussie blokes to get a blood test, we will literally save thousands of lives in this country.
KING: Another hot topic is the rise in the opinion polls of One Nation. They challenged you at the last federal election and they’re eyeing off a number of seats in our region, including yours. Are you feeling threatened by their rise in popularity?
REPACHOLI: Richard, we’ve been hearing about One Nation ever since I was elected. In 2022 I was told I would lose to One Nation. In 2025 I was told I would lose to One Nation. Fortunately, we achieved stronger margins on both occasions.
We’ll keep doing what we’ve always done – getting out there, having conversations with people across the Hunter, door knocking, phone banking and delivering outcomes. The Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is one of the best things we’ve delivered into the Hunter. We’ve also delivered more bulk-billing clinics and we’ve got the Singleton Bypass due to open later this year.
One Nation is certainly being talked about and we’re the only seat in the country where they are the two-party-preferred opponent. We’ll continue speaking to the people of the Hunter and doing what we can to make their lives a little bit better.
KING: You and the Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson, have both commented on reviving the Maitland–Cessnock rail line. You’ve put your support behind it, but realistically, do you think it will happen?
REPACHOLI: First of all, the NSW Government has to determine whether it sees this as a viable project. If it does, then conversations can take place with the Federal Government about potential funding support.
Ultimately, this is a state decision. I’ve certainly put my support behind it, but we need to see what the state thinks first. Then we can have discussions with the Federal Infrastructure Minister if required.
KING: New South Wales takes on Queensland tonight in State of Origin II. I know you were with a couple of Origin legends earlier this week. You’re definitely going for a Blues victory tonight?
REPACHOLI: Absolutely. We’re going for a Blues victory tonight. I gave it to those Queenslanders yesterday, but the real test comes tonight when we beat them and bring the trophy home.
We’re going to see some fantastic athletes playing hard and competing fiercely, but we’re also seeing footballers talk openly about their mental health and remind people that it’s not weak to speak. They understand how important it is to look after both physical and mental health, and that’s the message we want Aussie blokes to hear.
It’s okay to be strong on the footy field, but it’s also okay to be vulnerable and talk about your issues.
KING: Appreciate your time this morning. Keep up the good work, Dan, and go the Blues tonight.
REPACHOLI: Thank you, Richard. Go the Blues!
KING: Dan Repacholi, Member for Hunter and the Federal Government’s Special Envoy for Men’s Health. It is Men’s Health Week this week.