CAM REDDIN, JOURNALIST: I'm here with Labor MP Dan Repacholi. Dan, good to see you.
DAN REPACHOLI MP, SPECIAL ENVOY FOR MEN'S HEALTH: Pleasure to be here.
REDDIN: You've made a big step today in terms of men's health. There is obviously a big focus on health policy for Labor generally, but putting men's health specifically into the party platform, why is that a significant move?
REPACHOLI: It is such an important move because men's health is now part of Labor's National Platform. That matters for men across this country and for the health of the country as a whole. If we have healthy men, we have healthy families and healthy communities, and that is what we all want to see.
REDDIN: Where are some of the gaps for blokes? We have been through the COVID era, with younger people in particular finding it easier to become isolated. There are also the vices of gambling, alcohol and drugs that people can fall into. Is part of the challenge reaching people in the first place and saying, 'There is help, and you can do something about this'?
REPACHOLI: Certainly. It is about getting out there and talking to blokes at their level and where they are at. That is the biggest challenge for all of us. Not everybody is ready to see their GP or talk about needing help. Most blokes know when there is a problem, but too often they do not reach out for the help they need. It is about raising awareness and reminding blokes that they matter, that they are important, and that help and support are available. My whole goal is to see more blokes seeing their GP, getting to appointments and, most importantly, getting home.
REDDIN: That education is really important, isn't it? You do your bit on social media and it is hard to miss those interventions. More broadly, among families, schools and universities, it is important to keep the conversation going so people know what they can do if they see a problem, or even how to identify a problem in the first place.
REPACHOLI: That is right. Education is key in this space. People our age might have missed some of that education growing up, so if we can reach younger generations and show them how important it is to look after their health, we will see very different outcomes later in life. For older age groups, we need to make sure they know what is available and how to reach out. We need to be where blokes are, and I will continue to advocate to make sure we are doing the best we can for men.
REDDIN: Can I ask you about one of the vices that a lot of men can fall into, which is gambling? We have seen an amendment carried today in the platform calling for more to be done on online gambling, including push notifications for bonus bets and video games where children can become involved in loot boxes. Does Labor need to strengthen the position it has put forward
REPACHOLI: Look, we have done more on gambling harm than any government before us. There is no doubt about that, and we do care about this space. That is why we have these discussions at Labor Conference, so we can map out the way forward. People should be able to have a sensible bet, but we also need to look after people who need help and make sure support is there for anyone dealing with addiction. We need to work across the board, and that is why measures have been put in place. We will continue to work with industry and with Australians to make sure we get this right.
REDDIN: Just finally, you mentioned your patch of the Hunter. There were plenty of references to One Nation in the Prime Minister's speech yesterday. Has Pauline Hanson got you rattled?
REPACHOLI: Certainly not. I have been told at the last two elections that I was going to lose to One Nation, and you know what we have done each time? We have got better and better and better. I will keep doing my job, having conversations and talking with people on the ground in the Hunter, making sure we deliver the best for them. We have so much to offer in the Hunter. We have wines, mines and equines, and the largest saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere. We have everything to offer, and I will continue to fight for our region and its people.
REDDIN: Dan Repacholi, thank you.
REPACHOLI: Cheers. Thanks very much, mate. Really appreciate it. Good to see you.