Regional Victorians are set to benefit from the State Government’s rollout of free pad and tampon vending machines – helping remove barriers to education, work and community life.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins recently launched the start of the official statewide
rollout at TAFE Gippsland, where new machines have been installed in Bairnsdale and Warragul – with the Barwon region set to follow next week.
“Pads and tampons are not a luxury, they’re a necessity – this rollout means women and girls right across Victoria won’t have to miss work or school because they can’t afford them,” Ms Hutchins said.
The rollout is now expanding beyond Melbourne, following the installation of 50 smart vending machines in 30 metro locations.
“Period products are necessary but expensive, and not having access to them impacts women and girls in all sorts of negative ways. Our program to provide free pads and tampons makes sense and will make a big difference for women and girls right across the region,” Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said.
Women across Melbourne have already saved thousands of dollars, with more than 25,000 packs of pads and tampons dispensed in the first six months of the program.
