Shadow Envoy for Men and Boys and Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien and Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey will hold a Mens, Boys and Dads Forum in Dubbo on Saturday, June 27.
Mr O’Brien and Mr Chaffey will be joined by representatives from Boys to the Bush and Tradies in Sight Inc.
The event is the second Mens, Boys and Dads Forum to be held by Mr O’Brien in his role as Shadow Envoy for Men and Boys.
Mr O’Brien said there were serious issues impacting on men that were often overlooked, including men’s health and mental health.
“Men die younger from preventable diseases and at much higher rates of suicide, which means men, their families, and Australia are losing too many potential happy and productive years of life,” he said.
“In 2024, 3,307 Australians died by suicide, and more than 75 percent of them were males. Men also have higher rates of lung cancer, liver disease and heart disease. They have lower life expectancy, higher rates of chronic disease, and lower rates of education.
“It is wonderful to see advocacy at work addressing disadvantage for women and girls, but the unique issues faced by men, boys and fathers also need to be addressed. These forums are a way to start that conversation.”
Mr Chaffey, whose electorate of Parkes includes Dubbo, said he spoke daily with men who were doing it tough.
“There are big issues in families and communities that are costing lives,” Mr Chaffey said.
“This forum is a safe space for community members to talk about the concerns they face, whether that is a lack of services, financial stresses, problems in the workforce, health issues, they might be a new dad or other concerns that are impacting on their lives.
“This is a place for them to be heard, and for us to understand what is troubling men and boys in the Dubbo region the most.
“This forum is free and open to anyone. I thank Mr O’Brien, as the Shadow Envoy for Men and Boys, for making himself available for this special event, and I look forward to meeting the people who come along. This is an important opportunity to help us to make a difference.”
The Mens, Boys and Dads Forum is a free event and will be held at 4pm on Saturday, June 27, 2026 in the Starlight Room of the Dubbo RSL. Anyone who is interested can RSVP to Jamie Chaffey’s office on (02) 6882 0999 or come along to the event.
Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey and Shadow Envoy for Men and Boys and Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien will also hold An Evening with Jamie and Llew at 5pm on Friday, 26 June at the Sylo Forbes, 23 Rankin Street, Forbes. Drinks and dinner will be available for purchase. Please RSVP to Jamie Chaffey’s office on (02) 6882 0999.
ENDS
Media contact: Marie Low | 0491 940 108 | marie.low@aph.gov.au