Nationals leader Matt Canavan has revealed the Coalition will unveil a new special envoy for boys and men.
Senator Canavan and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor will formally announce the appointment of Llew O’Brien, the member for Wide Bay, on Tuesday.
Mr O’Brien will officially take up the role should the Coalition emerge victorious at the next election.
Speaking to Sky News on Monday evening, Senator Canavan explained the new envoy would seek to address the growing “challenges” facing men and boys in Australia.
“Llew’s had a long career in the police, he’s been passionate about these issues for a long time,” he said.
“We all recognise the challenges that men and particularly boys face now in the modern world growing up.”
The Nationals leader was speaking after a Men, Boys and Fathers Forum event hosted by the party in Farrer, New South Wales.
Describing it as a “fantastic” night, Senator Canavan pledged the party would soon put on similar events in other parts of the country, before potentially expanding the effort nationwide should they win the next election.
More details on the new envoy will be unveiled by the leaders of both Coalition parties during the official announcement on Tuesday.
Men’s mental health is a growing issue across Australia, with Beyond Blue reporting just 37 per cent of boys and men reach out for assistance when in need.
On average, seven of the nine people who take their own lives in Australia each day are men, with around 2,529 men taking their own lives in 2024 alone.
Help and support is available to anyone in distress, including through Beyond Blue or via Lifeline on 13 11 14.