Category: Australian News

Australia and Palau are pleased to announce Qantas has been selected to operate the Palau Paradise Express, a direct flight service connecting Brisbane, Australia and Koror, Palau.

This service, which commenced in May this year, is supported by the Government of Australia and the Government of Palau and is expected to operate through to at least November 2025.

The Palau Paradise Express boosts air connectivity in the Pacific promoting tourism, trade and stronger people to people links.

This announcement comes as Australia and Palau celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations, demonstrating the warmth and strength of our relationship.

President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. President of the Republic of Palau:

“We appreciate Australia for partnering with us to promote economic activity between our two nations. The flight makes it easier for tourists and businesspeople to travel between our two nations and encourages trade and commerce.

“It also provides opportunities to work together, building people to people relationships, supporting education, and work force training that is already taking place. We look forward to welcoming more Australians to Palau and trust that this continued partnership in aviation will further extend our already broad and warm relationship with Australia.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Australia and Palau have partnered to expand connectivity in the Pacific, and increase tourism, trade and business opportunities.

“The Palau Paradise Express is a demonstration of the closeness of our partnership with Palau.

“Australia is working with the Pacific, and investing in a resilient and sustainable aviation sector which supports a more connected and prosperous region.”

The Albanese Government is taking action to stop businesses ripping off Australians by banning unfair trading practices under the Australian Consumer Law.

This is about easing the cost of living and getting a fair go for consumers and suppliers.

From concert tickets to hotel rooms and gym memberships, Australians are fed up with businesses using tricky tactics that make it difficult to end subscriptions or add hidden fees to purchases.

These practices can distort purchasing decisions, or result in additional costs, putting more pressure on the cost of living.

The Government’s actions will address a wide range of practices, including:

• ‘Subscription traps’ that use arduous and confusing steps to make cancelling a subscription difficult.
• ‘Drip pricing’ practices where fees are hidden or added throughout the stages of a purchase.
• Deceptive and manipulative online practices that aim to confuse or overwhelm consumers, omit or hide material information, or create a false sense of urgency or scarcity – this can include warnings that a customer only has limited time to purchase a product.
• Dynamic pricing where a product’s price changes during the transaction process.
• Requiring consumers to set up an account and provide unnecessary information to make an online purchase.
• Where a business makes it difficult for a consumer to contact them when they have a problem with their product or service.

Treasury will consult on the design before the Government legislates a general prohibition on unfair trading practices. This will include specific prohibitions of a range of dodgy practices.

Today the Albanese Government has also released a consultation paper on reforms to strengthen protections for consumers and small businesses under the Consumer Guarantees and Supplier Indemnification provisions of the Australian Consumer Law.

The Government welcomes stakeholder feedback on the proposed reforms, which include introducing penalties for suppliers that refuse to provide consumers with a remedy such as a repair, replacement or refund when required under law.

Currently, it can be difficult for consumers to obtain a remedy, especially when engaging in the digital economy.

These reforms will empower the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and state and territory consumer protection agencies to issue infringement notices or pursue penalties for breaches of the Consumer Guarantee and Supplier Indemnification provisions of the Australian Consumer Law.

Following consultation, the Government will work with states and territories to settle a final reform proposal in the first half of 2025.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“We’re taking strong action to stop businesses from engaging in dodgy practices that rip consumers off.

“Today’s announcement puts businesses engaging in unfair trading practices on notice.

“Hidden fees and traps are putting even more pressure on the cost of living and it needs to stop.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers:

“We’re taking important steps to ban unfair trading practices and ease the cost of living for Australians.

“Whether it’s traps that make it difficult or confusing to cancel a subscription, hidden fees and charges at different stages of a purchase, deceptive or manipulative practices online or making it difficult for people to report problems with their products or services, we’re going to change the rules.

“Most businesses do the right thing by Australians and they’ve got nothing to worry about.

“This is all about cracking down on dodgy deals to save Australians money if we can, and where we can.”

Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones:

“Consumer protections shouldn’t stop at the internet. Whether you are shopping online or at a brick and mortar store, the Albanese Government is protecting Australian consumers.

“This is all about ending the rip offs so people don’t fall into subscription traps or added fees when they purchase things like airline or concert tickets.”

The Albanese Government will establish a consolidated Commonwealth-owned Defence Precinct at Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard to underpin tens of billions of dollars of investment in defence capabilities in the West over the next two decades and support in the order of 10,000 well-paid, high-skilled local jobs.

The establishment of a consolidated Defence Precinct at Henderson is the critical next step in delivering continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia.

This builds on the Albanese Government’s announcement last year of a strategic partnership between Defence and Austal Limited at Henderson.

It also represents a major milestone on the AUKUS pathway as Australia develops the capability to safely and securely own, operate and sustain conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarines.

The Defence Precinct will support the build of new landing craft for the Australian Army and new general purpose frigates for the Navy announced by the Albanese Government, with requisite large vessel infrastructure to form part of the Precinct.

These capabilities are vital to transforming our Defence Force’s ability to meet Australia’s complex strategic circumstances.

The Albanese Government has also determined that the Defence Precinct at Henderson will be the home of depot-level maintenance and contingency docking for Australia’s future conventionally‑armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

These vital maintenance capabilities will be established at Henderson in accordance with domestic processes and regulatory requirements, and consistent with Australia’s international obligations to maintaining the highest standards for nuclear safety, security and safeguards.

Contingency and depot-level maintenance alone will create around 3,000 jobs in Western Australia.

This is in addition to the thousands of jobs that will be supported through construction of the Defence Precinct, delivery of continuous naval shipbuilding in the West, and the establishment and operation of Submarine Rotational Force-West at HMAS Stirling.

Coupled with the $8 billion the Albanese Government has already committed to expand HMAS Stirling, these investments and capability programs in Western Australia will be worth tens of billions of dollars over the next two decades.

Cooperation Agreement

To deliver this ambitious long-term program, the Albanese and Cook Governments have today signed a Cooperation Agreement, which provides a foundation for collaboration to deliver the Defence Precinct and related activities. This will include:

• Developing a dedicated joint forum to deliver the skilled workforce required to deliver and sustain critical Defence capabilities.
• Establishing the necessary infrastructure, including common user facilities, to support industry across the Defence Precinct at Henderson.
• Ensuring effective engagement across Federal, State and Local governments and communities.

The Albanese Government will make an initial investment of $127 million over three years to progress planning, consultations, preliminary design and feasibility studies as well as enabling works for the Defence Precinct at Henderson.

This work will inform future decisions on delivery options and models for the Defence Precinct at Henderson.

The Albanese Government is committed to working with the Cook Government to deliver the infrastructure, industry, workforce and training for a defence future made in Western Australia.

A copy of the agreement will be available here: Cooperation agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Western Australia to deliver and sustain Australia’s future Defence capabilities | Defence Ministers

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:

“The Albanese Government’s commitment to the Defence Precinct at Henderson is a game changer for WA industry – it will create thousands of jobs for West Australians and underpin billions of dollars of investment in defence capability in the West.

“Henderson already plays a critical role in the delivery and sustainment of Australian Defence Force capabilities and this will see the important role of WA industry grow further.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“The Albanese Government’s commitments represent the most consequential defence investment in Western Australia in nearly four decades, since the commissioning of HMAS Stirling in 1978 and its expanded role as Australia’s Indian Ocean fleet base under the 1987 two-oceans navy policy.

“The Defence Precinct at Henderson will optimise Australia’s shipbuilding and sustainment industry while supporting continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine pathway.

“The Albanese Government is committed to investing in the growth of a productive and resilient defence industry and workforce to keep our nation safe and deliver a future made in Australia – which is exactly what the Defence Precinct will deliver.”

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy:

“Successful consolidation of the Henderson precinct will secure decades of continuous shipbuilding in Western Australia, providing generational benefits for locals who play a vital role in keeping Australia safe.

“This investment by the Albanese Government will not only create thousands of high-skilled and well paid jobs in Western Australia but also ensures a future made in Australia.”

the Premier of Western Australia, Roger Cook:

“This is a momentous announcement for Western Australia – one that will set up our State for an exciting future and puts us at the centre of the nation’s defence capability.

“The new Defence Precinct at Henderson will deliver tens of billions of dollars in investment and thousands of local jobs.

“This massive investment delivers on my Government’s mission to develop and diversify our State’s economy by providing another economic pathway for our State for decades to follow.

“It is a win-win for Western Australia and the nation.”

Western Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Paul Papalia: 

“The investment of tens of billions of dollars will turn Western Australia into a defence powerhouse.”

“The Defence Precinct at Henderson will be the home of depot-level maintenance for nuclear-powered submarines as part of AUKUS. It will also be the maintenance hub for Australia’s nuclear submarines.”

“This historic agreement will result in generations of jobs and diversify the economy like never before.”

The Albanese Government has secured Hobart’s future as the home port of Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, and the long-term future of the Australian Antarctic Program in Tasmania.

An agreement between the Federal and Tasmanian Government for a new, fit-for-purpose Macquarie Wharf 6 has been reached, locking in Tasmania as Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean Gateway.

The Albanese Government will contribute $188 million over four years to construct a new Macquarie Wharf 6 in the Port of Hobart.

The Tasmanian Government will provide priority access to Macquarie Wharf 6 as the home port for RSV Nuyina for the next 30 years, continued access to existing portside facilities during the construction period, access to shoreside power, and a refuelling solution for RSV Nuyina in the Port of Hobart.

RSV Nuyina is the main lifeline to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations and the central platform of Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research. It’s essential that it’s able to dock in Hobart.

Wharf construction will be managed by the Tasmanian Government and will begin next year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“What this means is Tasmania will remain Australia’s gateway to Antarctica, as it should be. 

“This is an investment in Hobart, an investment in Tasmania and an investment in the future of Australian science.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff:

“This agreement secures a fit-for-purpose home port for the Nuyina and locks in Tasmania’s future as the home of the Australian Antarctic Program.

“As part of the agreement we will also deliver appropriate refuelling infrastructure for the Nuyina and other vessels coming into Hobart.

“Tasmania has a proud heritage of supporting Antarctic and Southern Ocean endeavours with explorers and scientists using the port of Hobart as a base for expeditions since the 19th century.

“As part of our Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we will continue to promote and develop our world-leading Antarctic Gateway to grow jobs, maritime services, trade and investment, education, science and research, and visitor opportunities.”

Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek:

“It’s absolutely fantastic that we’ve reached an agreement so the Australian Antarctic Program will have fit-for-purpose wharf infrastructure so they can continue world-leading Antarctic science based out of Hobart.

“I know how important being Australia’s gateway to Antarctica is to Tasmania. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector employs nearly 1,000 people in Tasmania and contributes more than $183 million each year to the Tasmanian economy.

“That’s why we’ve contributed $188 million towards a new home for the Nuyina and it’s why we have increased funding for the Australian Antarctic Division by more than half a billion since coming to government.”

Australia will provide $9 million to Myanmar through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership to support communities and conflict-affected populations. 

Australia remains deeply concerned by the worsening political, security and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, which has serious implications for regional peace and security. 

This brings Australia’s total humanitarian commitment to the crises in Myanmar and Bangladesh since 2017 to $880 million. 

Over 3.4 million people are internally displaced within Myanmar, and 18.6 million people need humanitarian assistance. Our assistance will support community organisations and target vulnerable people and communities that need it most.  

Australia does not provide any direct funding to the military regime and takes proactive steps to ensure our assistance does not legitimise the military regime in Myanmar. 

In addition to today’s announcement, Australia welcomes the release of $17.8 million (US$12 million) to respond to the crisis in Myanmar from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Australia is a longstanding donor to the CERF, contributing $11 million each year. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong: 

“Australia is deeply concerned by the conflict in Myanmar.  

“The people of Myanmar continue to demonstrate great resolve in the face of unspeakable violence and human rights abuses, and Australia remains resolute in our support for them. 

“Australia reiterates our call for the regime to cease violence against civilians, release those unjustly detained, allow access for aid and return Myanmar to the path of inclusive democracy.” 

Minister for International Development and The Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP: 

“Australia’s support will help the most vulnerable in Myanmar including women, children and persons with disabilities access lifesaving humanitarian assistance.” 

The Albanese Labor Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Gavan Reynolds AO as the next Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner.

The new Commissioner will be sworn in on Sunday 10 November 2024.

Mr Reynolds brings a wealth of experience from his over 40 years of service to the nation, most recently as the Australian Defence Force’s inaugural Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Mr Reynolds career has included serving with distinction in a number of strategic and operational posts including as Australian Military Representative to NATO and the European Union, Head Military Strategic Commitments in the Department of Defence and deployment to Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force.

Mr Reynolds is well equipped to lead ABF through the current complex operating environment and meet the challenges of the future.

Mr Reynolds said: “It is a privilege to lead the Australian Border Force and the dedicated people protecting the national asset that is our border. I look forward to working closely with the Department of Home Affairs and across Government to deliver prosperity, security and unity for Australia.”

Mr Reynolds will take over from Michael Outram APM, who retires on Saturday 9 November 2024. The Government thanks Mr Outram for his dedicated service and his outstanding leadership of the ABF.

Since its establishment in 2015, the ABF has played a leading role in protecting Australia’s border while enabling legitimate travel and trade. As part of the Home Affairs portfolio, the ABF works closely with other agencies to ensure the security of our maritime environment and the integrity of our border.

Under Mr Reynolds’ leadership, the ABF will continue to be a global leader in border law enforcement and a trusted partner that helps build a safe, secure and prosperous Australia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, met regional leaders yesterday at the Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and today at the East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Laos.

Both forums are critical for promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and for building Australia’s trade links in the region and creating jobs and economic growth at home.

The Prime Minister met leaders from China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Canada and New Zealand in the sidelines of the summits.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of relations between ASEAN and Australia.

At the ASEAN-Australia Summit, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to ASEAN centrality and to building Australia’s links with Southeast Asia. He highlighted progress delivering outcomes from the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Melbourne in March, noting Southeast Asia’s economic prosperity is critical to Australia’s growth and jobs.

At the East Asia Summit – the Indo-Pacific’s premier forum for strategic dialogue – Prime Minister Albanese emphasised that dialogue and a strong ASEAN underpins regional stability, helps prevent conflict, and reinforces rules, norms and international law.

Prime Minister Albanese also participated in a meeting of the Asia Zero Emission Community, hosted by Prime Minister Ishiba of Japan, where leaders recognised the need for regional efforts to accelerate decarbonisation and ensure energy security through the transition to net zero. The Prime Minister updated regional leaders on Australia’s progress towards achieving net zero.

In Vientiane, the Prime Minister hosted an event attended by the Prime Minister of Vietnam His Excellency Mr Pham Minh Chính, Australia’s Special Envoy for Southeast Asia Mr Nicholas Moore AO, and Southeast Asian and Australian business representatives.

The Prime Minister highlighted the strong progress made over the past twelve months in implementing Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The event also involved Australian delegates taking part in an investment mission to Thailand and Laos – one of many business missions to have taken place since the launch of the Strategy.

The Prime Minister thanked Laos for being the 2024 ASEAN Chair. He announced Australia had committed an additional $4.5 million to Monash University’s World Mosquito Program to assist in the elimination of dengue fever in Laos.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Australia has been an ASEAN partner for 50 years, longer than any other country.

“Maintaining peace and stability takes work and Australia will keep working with our partners towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous region with ASEAN at the centre.

“When our region prospers, Australia prospers, which is why deepening economic engagement through our Southeast Asia Economic Strategy remains a priority for my Government.

“We have delivered on 47 of the recommendations made under the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy over the past year, and will continue delivering for Australia and the region.

“I congratulate Prime Minister Sonexay on Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship this year and look forward to continuing work with our ASEAN partners.

“I wish Malaysia success as it takes on the ASEAN Chair for 2025.”

The Greens have criticised Labor and Liberal for failing to back a Royal Commission into Australian Media labelling them “Murdoch cowards.” Today, a Senate Inquiry report into the Murdoch media was tabled in Parliament as Australia’s media ownership concentration slips further to now rank 2nd-worst in the world.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens spokesperson for Communications:

“Public interest journalism is critical for democracy, but Australia now ranks 2nd worst in the world for media diversity and the Government is failing to deliver the comprehensive media reforms needed.

“I’m concerned we are seeing a rising distrust in news media as the Murdoch empire continues to undermine quality journalism and democracy in Australia and abroad.

“The Murdoch media’s litany of biassed campaigns diminish Australian journalism as a profession and regularly fail to meet the basic standards enumerated in the Journalist Code of Ethics.

“In Australia the Murdoch media organisation fuels social division, targets individual women and vulnerable minorities, and delays climate action to prop up fossil fuels. Abroad, Fox News’ role in the Dominion voting scandal and the UK phone hacking scandals are a matter of public record.”

New revenue, regulations needed for public interest journalism:

“Comprehensive media reform in Australia is well overdue and a Commission of Inquiry would have been a sensible pathway to get the job done. It is disappointing that neither Labor nor Liberal are prepared to tackle these issues.

“Public interest journalism and the health of our democracy continues to be eroded each and every day the Government fails to deliver real media reform. The Government response to Meta’s threats to the News Media Bargaining Code remains unresolved, media regulations for the digital era are either non-existent or out of date, and funding for small and independent news agencies remains in limbo.

“As big tech corporations continue to cannibalise public interest journalism it’s clear we need to ensure a fair share of the revenue sucked up by social media platforms is invested back in the news and content they take for free. After a decade of Coalition cuts to the ABC and SBS, full funding has still not been restored and public broadcasters remain vulnerable to political attack and influence.”

The Albanese Government today teamed up with Peter Dutton’s Coalition to push through a controversial AUKUS Bill that will allow the dumping of high-level naval nuclear waste anywhere in Australia.

The Albanese Government, in alliance with the Coalition, rammed the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill through the Senate today without debate.

The Bill also created a new naval nuclear regulator as part of the AUKUS agreement with the UK and US on nuclear submarines. It initially allowed for all UK and US nuclear submarine waste to be dumped in Australia until the Albanese Government sheepishly amended it, due to growing public opposition, to prevent the dumping of UK or US ‘spent nuclear fuel’.

However, the amendments still allow the dumping of US and UK intermediate-level waste and other high-level nuclear waste from their nuclear submarines. The Greens moved amendments this afternoon that explicitly prevented this, and the major parties voted against these amendments and others.

The Bill immediately creates two nuclear dump ‘zones’, one off the coast of Perth and the other at Port Adelaide, without any community consultation or local support.

The Bill also allows nuclear dump zones to be declared anywhere in Australia that the Defence Minister chooses with the flick of their pen, again without any consent from local communities or First Nations traditional owners.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson for Defence, said: “Albanese and Dutton have teamed up today to push this AUKUS nuclear waste legislation through the Senate without debate.”

“Today’s actions see both Labor and the Coalition joining hands to ram through legislation that will let the UK and US dump their naval nuclear waste in Australia.”

“The Albanese Labor Government initially tried to sneak through a law that would allow the UK and US to dump all types of nuclear waste in Australia. The Greens called the Government out on this, and then people around Australia pushed back.

“Even with last-minute Labor amendments, this legislation still allows the dumping of US and UK nuclear waste in Australia. Labor’s amendments only prohibit the US and UK dumping ‘spent nuclear fuel’ from their submarines in Australia, but do not prohibit any other highly irradiated UK and US nuclear waste.

“This legislation green-lights dumping of all Australian naval nuclear waste anywhere in Australia. To be clear, exposure to even intermediate-level waste is lethal to humans, and the risk lasts for hundreds of years.

“Everyone can see AUKUS is sinking, the question is now becoming how much environmental and financial damage it will do before it hits rock bottom,” Senator Shoebridge said.

Today, at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Women’s Mental Health Senator Larissa Waters will launch the Greens election policy on perimenopause and menopause.

Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters

“For too long, women experiencing menopause and perimenopause have suffered in silence.

“It’s time for change. The Greens are committed to making menopause treatments more affordable and accessible, while also increasing awareness among healthcare professionals and the general public.

“We heard some horror stories during the Senate inquiry into issues related to perimenopause and menopause about the cost of medication which can be hundreds of dollars a month.

“We were told about one woman who was controlling her anxiety and depression with MHT until she could no longer afford it, she was forced to ask for Valium because it is PBS listed and $15 for a box of 50.

“The Greens will allocate $50 million annually to subsidise all TGA approved MHT and address medication shortages, ensuring women have access to and can afford essential treatments. 

“We will also eliminate the PBS co-payment for menopause treatments already on the PBS.

“No one should be priced out of the healthcare they need. We must ensure that effective treatments are accessible to all.

“Other countries have already made MHT more affordable. The UK is offering a year’s supply for $40, while Canada has allocated funding to British Columbia to make MHT free for its residents.

“We also heard during the Senate inquiry that doctors are only getting one hour of training on perimenopause and menopause in their undergraduate. This is patently inadequate because menopause impacts half of the population and it is a point where women become vulnerable to chronic diseases like osteoporosis.

“The Greens will ensure GPs can conduct comprehensive tests related to menopause, including essential bone density scans.

“One woman who asked her doctor if her symptoms could be from menopause said all he was taught in medical school was that menopausal women are either ‘mad or sad’.

“The stigma surrounding menopause has left many women feeling isolated. By increasing awareness, women can feel empowered to seek the support they deserve. That is why the Greens will implement a $5 million national education campaign for the public and for doctors.

“The major parties have yet to propose substantial changes regarding menopause care, the Greens will prioritise women’s health and ensure that women can access the support they need.

“If you want change, you have to vote for it. We are taking the lead on this critical issue, while Labor and the LNP have neglected it for far too long.

“The report from the Senate inquiry has provided a roadmap for the changes we need. It’s time for the government to respond to these recommendations without delay.

“Women across Australia deserve better—better support, better treatment options, and better recognition of their needs, and the Greens will deliver that.”

BACKGROUND

The Greens continue their commitment to improve women’s health in Australia with a comprehensive plan to address the pressing, yet too long neglected, issues surrounding menopause and perimenopause.

This initiative follows the Greens initiated Senate inquiry and resulting landmark consensus report with 25 strong recommendations aimed at transforming how menopause is perceived, addressed and treated in this country.

The Greens will:

• Ensure more affordable and accessible menopause treatments with an allocation of $50 million annually to ensure that women have access to necessary treatments by:
  • Subsidising TGA approved menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)
  • Purchasing more doses of MHT and making them more accessible across Australia.
  • Purchasing alternative forms of MHT medications.
• Creating a new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item that allows GPs to conduct comprehensive tests related to menopause, including essential bone density scans.
• Removing the PBS co-payment for menopause treatments to reduce financial barriers for women seeking care.

To complement our health initiatives, The Greens will fund a $5 million national education campaign aimed at the public and at healthcare professionals. It will focus on:

• Educating GPs through an accredited training program on menopause and perimenopause, ensuring they are well-equipped to support their patients.
• Raising public awareness about menopause symptoms and treatment options to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations.