International Men's Day

The Hon. S.L. GAME (16:51): I move:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges that 19 November 2025 is International Men's Day, focusing on men's health, championing male role models, and recognising the positive values men bring to the world, their families and their communities;

2. Accepts that men face a series of health challenges that need to be acknowledged and addressed to help our communities function to their fullest potential;

3. Identifies that these challenges include but are not limited to the fact that in Australia three out of four suicides are men, two out of three violent deaths are men, and that men die years younger than women on average;

4. Recognises that men deserve to be celebrated on International Men's Day in the same vein as we celebrate and champion women on International Women's Day; and

5. Acknowledges that all members of parliament need to do their best to start changing the negative narrative around men in society.

Bringing International Men's Day to prominence in South Australia in recent years has been a pleasure and a responsibility I have taken incredibly seriously. As we busily prepare to host the third International Men's Day event to be held on the day itself, Wednesday November 19, it is timely to reflect on this initiative's growing support base and what this expansion actually means.

The Premier, Peter Malinauskas, has accepted an invitation to attend this year's event. What does that mean? Other Labor ministers and MPs will also attend and will do so alongside those who sit opposite them within the Liberal Party ranks. What does this all mean?

This year's International Men's Day Adelaide function, which will be more than double in size compared with the previous two already successful events, will welcome people from a broad cross-section of our community: a disparate group who would rarely sit in the same room together, let alone share similar life priorities. The event is growing in credibility, reach and popularity each year.

I believe these indicators show that the points made previously in the motion are resonating more strongly than ever and more broadly. They also prove that support for the motion's aspirations is gradually becoming apolitical, as it should. Clearly, the need to focus on the unique challenges faced by men—in particular, their health—is hitting home. The need to champion male role models, rather than unfairly taint all men for the actions of a tiny minority, is being recognised. Our understanding that by taking these steps we will live in a more cohesive, fair and ultimately safer community is growing.

The tired and erroneous cliche 'every day is International Men's Day' is disappearing from our consciousness permanently and being replaced with recognition that an ongoing discussion around the needs of men and boys, including helping them when and where appropriate, is a completely valid and critically important concept and, indeed, a responsibility.

In addition to those sobering statistics about suicides, violent deaths and the shorter life expectancy of Australian men, it is worth noting that boys continue to underperform against girls at every stage of education and that fathers in split families face more substantial barriers to being involved in their children's lives. Double standards must cease, to be replaced by robust and honest conversations.

One of the great privileges of this position is that I get to interact with so many amazing people from different walks of life—people who have lived so many different experiences. It is partly through these conversations and contacts that the International Men's Day Adelaide event has continued to flourish and has now cemented its position on the South Australian landscape.

I have talked to many men's shed members, plus countless current and retired Defence Force members and their representative groups. Through these interactions, I have developed a better appreciation of the challenges facing men in modern Australia, and I have learned about some of this selfless and valuable work they do. Both inside and outside parliament, I have spoken many times about the positive contributions of men as fathers, workers, Defence Force members, brothers, sons, friends and so on.

As indicated by the attendance of community leaders across various fields, plus the presence of the Premier, South Australia's biggest International Men's Day dinner has become a significant event on the calendar. Its growth is recognition that South Australia's International Men's Day event is so much more than just a dinner: it is a catalyst for change. I am proud to say that this year the dinner is supporting the work of the wonderful MATES in Construction charity, plus the Port Lincoln based Mentally Fit Eyre Peninsula group. These groups are working in their communities and making a real difference, so I am delighted we can support them via the 2025 dinner.

Through the 2025 theme of 'Stand Tall. Speak Up. Show Up.', I am inviting all South Australians to jump aboard the movement. The goal is for a lasting impact, stronger communities, open conversations and lives saved through connection and care. I remain proud of this event and grateful to everyone who has contributed to its success, including those within these parliamentary walls.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.