If the Andrews government is reelected in Victoria on November 26, the state will become the first in Australia to provide period products free to the general public.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement yesterday in another example of what Benjamin Clark recently described in Crikey as “Andrews-ism” — that is, “getting things done” (and crowing about it).
Andrews announced the promise on Twitter, saying tampons are “a necessity, not a luxury”.
He went on to tweet: “We’ll install 1500 free pad and tampon machines at up to 700 public sites including public hospitals, courts, TAFEs, public libraries, train stations and major cultural institutions like the State Library of Victoria and the Melbourne Museum.”
While some countries and states (including Victoria) offer free period products in schools, Scotland is the only country to provide them more widely.
The idea behind the free period products is that it helps address period poverty and is fundamental to gender equality. Monthly, up to 1 million people who menstruate in Australia find that financial constraints make it difficult to access sanitary products.
Well, tell that to the men (and plenty of others, too) on Australian Twitter. Because as soon as Andrews made the announcement, the platform was awash with people who clearly know as much about menstruation as Elon Musk knows about blue tick verification having their say about free tampons. (Sidenote: data shows there’s a huge knowledge gap when it comes to men and periods — and that this adds to the stigma around menstruation. If you would like anecdotal evidence of this, please do search “tampons” on Twitter today.)
Here are the most bizarre and amusing takes on the announcement.
Free tampons = … free penis extensions?
In a now-deleted tweet, the Cumberland City Council councillor made an extremely bizarre comparison:
When questioned further about why he made such a comparison, he said he wasn’t comparing — he was being humorous.
Free tampons?! What about toilet paper?
Many people were enraged that Andrews seems to think that tampons are a necessity, yet toilet paper isn’t. Except that, of course, toilet paper too is free in all the locations where tampons will be free in Victoria should the Labor government win the election.
Despite this being something many would assume is common knowledge, it seemed to be a persistent gripe with men of Australian Twitter. It really makes you wonder what they are doing when they take a shit in public, to be honest.
What about the boys???
A great thing about the reaction was that it really allowed some men to dive into some ideas about gender that they had perhaps not thought of before. Can any gender use tampons? Look, I’m not Andrews’ health adviser, but I’m quite sure it’s as simple as this: if you menstruate, you too may use the tampons.
What do the boys get??? asked this user. “Fair’s fair.” How about what (cis) boys don’t get: monthly cramps, bleeding, an extra item (at extra cost) on the grocery list and being stigmatised for something their body does without them asking for it.
Free tissues for the men, please
Thankfully, there was also a lot of sense coming from Twitter as well, with many users suggesting Andrews could add some freebies for those complaining.
Is Dan’s tampon play sensible, sensitive or cynical? Let us know by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
I find free tampons a no-brainer. All women menstruate from puberty to menopause, a variable period of up to forty years. Think of that, you unthinking, unknowing men! How would you like 480 episodes of period pain and mood swings coupled with the discomfort of having to wear a pad or a tampon requiring frequent changing and extra hygiene. Being able to pee standing up is far from the only benefit of being a man! So man-up you ignoramuses and let women have, not what they want, but what they need!
David Wright
That’s fine for chick’s but what about the boys,..
How about the freedom to use as many random apostrophes as you want?
This comment wins!
Maybe apostrophes should cost. Then people might use them more carefully.
Nah, then cheapskate’s woul’dnt use them at all and import’ant nuance would be lost’ed.
Andrews blows the feeble minds of those in opposition who think their role is to oppose everything.
If Andrews announced Air would be free, the LNP stooges would instantly call for air to be abolished.
I hope he wears a rainbow tie tomorrow to make them explode!
Until the Opposition realise their job is to offer an alternative government rather than to perpetually cluck around like enraged flustered chooks, they will have to learn to enjoy irrelevance.
Bit of an unwarranted insult to poor “flustered chooks” I think – comparing them to the LNP ?
For all those men who fear they are missing out on a freebie, perhaps they can take comfort in knowing their wives, girlfriends, mistresses, sisters, daughters or nieces (if of course they have managed to attract one or more of the above) will never suffer the embarrassment of being caught short in an menstrual emergency.
Fedora-sporting incel MRAs completely unmoved by this
(if of course they have managed to attract one or more of the above)
Because they’re not wealthy, famous, commanding or buff? Just nice doesn’t work.eh.
About a million years ago I did work experience with a dentist (put me off for life) and on Fridays the people came in to have all their teeth removed so they could have the carefree life of a denture wearer. For some reason they were all men, and guess what they would stagger out with a mouthful of? So, yes, men get to use them too.