Senator Warns Men Caught Between Ideological Extremes as Wellbeing Declines

National Party Leader Matt Canavan believes Australian men and boys are “squeezed between two extremes” in an increasingly polarised world, while facing health and mental wellbeing challenges at high levels.

The senator recently spoke out about what he sees as a major concern for men growing up in Australia, following the federal opposition appointing Liberal National MP Llew O’Brien as shadow special envoy for men and boys on May 1.

“Some lecture them that men are ‘toxic’ and are to blame for all the ills of the world,” Canavan said on X.

“Then, there are online influencers that are preaching misogyny to our young men.

“Both extremes are wrong and we need leadership that helps young boys become strong and respectful men.”

As a father to sons, Canavan said there needed to be a more balanced, realistic, and positive discussion about masculinity.

“There are many local grassroots organisations that are helping boys and young men,” he said.

“Llew has been involved in many of them as a policeman and in his role as a member of parliament.

“Government can’t fix all of these problems but we can help support the local efforts that are making a difference.”

Federal Liberal MP Dan Tehan said his party’s appointment of O’Brien would also address issues such as men feeling “the brunt of economic change” in small business, manufacturing, and farming.

“Men’s health and mental health are enormous issues. 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.

“Advocacy for women’s issues is inspiring, and, like the wonderful work addressing disadvantage for women and girls, Australia can’t accept a business-as-usual approach to male disadvantage in policy areas like life expectancy, chronic disease, suicide and education.”

Governments’ Approach to Men’s Wellbeing

The federal Labor government appointed federal New South Wales (NSW) MP Dan Repacholi as Australia’s first special envoy for men’s health in May 2025, with a focus on promoting men’s health and wellbeing.

Across the states, there has also been a renewed focus on the wellbeing of men and boys.

As part of a cabinet reshuffle announced in April, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan appointed state MP Paul Edbrooke as the new minister for men and boys.

In January 2026, NSW Liberal Leader Kelli Sloane appointed Davidson MP Matt Cross as the state opposition’s secretary for men’s health.

Meanwhile, the NSW Labor government allocated $3.5 million to improving men’s health in 2025.

Men’s Health and Wellbeing Challenges

A Jesuit Social Services study commissioned by the NSW government found that among 1,200 surveyed men, many engaged in the consumption of violent pornography, and around half of men felt pressured to “act strong” when nervous or afraid.

“Harmful stereotypes about what it means ‘to be a man’ don’t just drive violence, they also drive loneliness and despair in young men,” NSW Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, some of the biggest impacts in men’s lives revolve around fatherhood, career, risk-taking, and relationships.

It found the leading cause of death in men aged 15-44 was suicide, while heart disease, lung cancer, and dementia were more likely to impact older age groups.

Overall, Australian statistics show 50 percent of deaths in men under the age of 75 were potentially avoidable, and three in five men were living with at least one long-term health condition.

Men experience a higher total disease burden and suffer more premature deaths.

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