Labor MPs Amused Over Concern For Women’s Health

ALP MPs were amused on Tuesday over concerns raised by the Rev Fred Nile on the incidence of cancer causing viruses among women and the call for better education.

“I’m very disappointed that the Minister for Health and members of the Labor Government thought it amusing that I raised this important issue. Every year, over 1,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer!

Every year over 300 die! 98% percent of those cases arise as a direct result of a person becoming infected with the human papilloma virus, the most common of humanity’s sexually transmitted diseases. I find it ethically reprehensible that more has not been done to better educate girls and young women of the dangers of casual sex / sexual promiscuity.

Government MPs may smile but they do so in the face of thousands of women who now suffer as a result of being kept ignorant of issues that affect their health. We owe it to all women of this state to provide them with as much information as possible to enable them to make better informed life-choices. The Government needs to introduce a ‘high-impact’ education campaign about sexually transmitted disease, as they have done with driver fatigue, smoking, drink driving, etc”, stated Rev Fred Nile.

The Rev Hon Fred Nile, raised the issue in State Parliament on Tuesday during question time;

“My question is addressed to the Minister for Health.

• Is the Minister aware that the Melbourne-based company CSL Limited has lobbied the Federal Government through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee for the Government to undertake a subsidised vaccination program for all girls aged 10 to 26?

• Is the Minister aware that this vaccination program will utilise CSL's product Gardasil to help prevent girls and young women from contracting the human papilloma virus, the significant cause of cervical cancer as a result of multiple sex partners?

• Is there a danger that females aged from 10 to 26 who have been vaccinated will believe they are now free to engage in sexual promiscuity?

• What has the Minister done to educate schoolgirls of this State of the health dangers associated with casual sexual intercourse and the contracting of sexually transmitted diseases?

• Will the Minister urgently introduce a community and school health education campaign to inform and protect schoolgirls from sexually transmitted diseases?”

The Minister for Health, the Hon. John Hatzistergos merely smiled and stated “I will take the question on notice”. Belatedly, the Minister gave a brief reply at lunchtime today.