The Coalition has announced the appointment of Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien as Shadow Special Envoy for Men and Boys.
Federal Member for Hinkler David Batt MP said men and boys were facing real challenges in all aspects of life, such as health, family law, education and the workforce, but too often these issues go unaddressed in the public debate.
“I congratulate and thank the Member for Wide Bay for taking on this important role,” Mr Batt said.
“Llew and I both served in the police force prior to entering politics. He has previously spoken about his experience of living with post-traumatic stress disorder, and I will stand alongside him and all my colleagues to ensure men and boys can access the services they need.
The modern world is squeezing men between the extremes of some calling masculinity ‘toxic’ and others that are spreading misogyny, mainly online. We need true leadership that holds up role models of men who are strong, disciplined and who respect women.”
Mr O’Brien will develop a comprehensive approach that ensures that our brothers, sons and dads are not left behind.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, males are more likely than females to experience premature deaths, known as the potential years of life lost (PYLL), dying younger from disease, suicide or fatal crashes.
In 2023, there were 28,112 potentially avoidable deaths (heart disease, suicide, lung diseases or diabetes) and of these, 63 per cent were male.
Mr O’Brien said taking on the new position was a privilege, enabling Australian men to overcome entrenched disadvantage and new and emerging challenges where men and boys are falling behind.
“Men’s health and mental health are enormous issues; men die younger from preventable diseases and at much higher rates of suicide, which means men, their families, and Australia are losing too many potential happy and productive years of life,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Advocacy for women’s issues is inspiring, and, like the wonderful work addressing disadvantage for women and girls, Australia can’t accept a business-as-usual approach to male disadvantage in policy areas like life expectancy, chronic disease, suicide and education.”
Bundaberg based non-government mental health organisation and charity Brave Brothers has welcomed the creation of the position.
Founder and Managing Director Dave Facer said it’s a positive step forward.
“Together, we can take action to support our brothers, sons and mates – and save lives before it’s too late,” Mr Facer said.