The need for comprehensive maternity services at the new Shellharbour Hospital was among the women’s health issues discussed during the Representing Women federal election forum on Tuesday, April 29.
The event brought together federal candidates from the electorates of Cunningham and Whitlam including Carol Berry (Labor), Jamie Dixon (Greens), Paddy Moylan (Independent), Alison Byrnes MP (Labor), and Jess Whittaker (Greens) to respond directly to the Illawarra community’s concerns around women’s health, safety, economic security, and leadership.
The event was hosted by the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre alongside Women Illawarra, SAHSSI, and the Wollongong Homeless Hub at The Foundery Café in Port Kembla, and was compèred by Kylie Flament.
Community members stressed the importance of local, accessible birthing options and consistent, women-centred care. Their concerns come as the new Shellharbour Hospital is built with no plans for birthing services.
Incumbent MP for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes acknowledged these concerns, saying that “we need to do better” and that it is vital “women have a say in how, when, and where they deliver their babies and with the support they get when they’re doing that.”
Carol Berry supported this emphasis on agency and autonomy, stating that “having women in control of birthing processes leads to better outcomes.” She expressed strong philosophical support for federal investment in women-centred care.
Jess Whittaker shared her own positive experience with midwifery group practice, which she described as “a fantastic service.” She noted that empowering women to make informed choices about their birth plans alongside early and sustained relationships with midwives was critical. “You don’t want to be encouraging unnecessary interventions,” she said. “It’s about ensuring women have the knowledge and support to decide what’s best for them.”
The discussion also tackled domestic, family and sexual violence, with candidates agreeing that more robust prevention strategies are needed.
Carol Berry, a former CEO of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, reaffirmed her long-standing commitment to ending violence against women, saying she has been “completely committed to zero tolerance of violence against women” for over two decades. She emphasised the need to do ongoing cultural work “across the whole community where violence is never the answer and never tolerated.”
A member of the audience asked what candidates would do to address the link between violence, childhood trauma, gambling, and alcohol advertising.
Jamie Dixon pointed to the Greens’ strong anti-gambling stance, noting their success at the state level in removing gambling signs from pubs. He added that platforms like Roblox introduce children to “gambling-like behavior” at a young age, and pledged to push for tighter regulation across sport, media, and digital platforms.
Funding for the community and not-for-profit sector was another priority issue raised. Jess Whittaker argued that “budgets are about choices,” and contrasted the $21 billion committed to defence with the chronic underfunding of community services. “That says it all,” she said.
Throughout the evening, candidates also addressed the gender pay gap, NDIS reform, and First Nations women’s leadership.
You can read our guide to how the main parties stand on women’s issues here.
