🔵 What will a Men's Health Minister actually do?

Plus: Kirribilli Brittany festival, Japanese lager, and One Nation's polling explained

Huw Bradshaw
January 30, 2026

⏱️ The 76th edition of our newsletter is a 5-minute read.

👋 G’day all,

Sorry about the late newsletter today — accidentally scheduled it for 8pm — not am — it seems.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time over the last couple days talking about men’s health. With the appointment of a Men’s Health shadow minister — our very own Matt Cross of Davidson — it’s been something I’ve been following all week.

Like some others, I was initially suspect of the announcement. NSW Liberal leader Kelly Sloane’s language, talking about the supposed “name-calling and blaming of men” raised concerns that this was a populist play toward those who want to “let boys be boys”.

But talking to the folks who have been working in this field for decades — across academia, policy, and frontline services — it seems good could come from this new position. The experts I’ve spoken to describe the field of men’s health, and in particular men’s mental health, as chronically underfunded and often neglected at a national level.

While concrete policy goals of the NSW Coalition in this area await to be seen, those who have been working in the field are watching closely to see whether this new portfolio will act as an election attention-grab, or will advocate for the serious, structural change the sector needs.

Anyway, let’s get into the news for this week.

HEARD THIS WEEK👂

🚹️ What does Matt Cross plan to do as Minister for Men's Health?

Davidson MP Matt Cross says he plans to speak to experts before developing any clear policy goals after being announced as the NSW Liberal Party’s shadow minister for Men’s Health on Tuesday.

Recap: The newly created shadow cabinet portfolio of Men’s Health was announced by NSW Liberal leader Kelly Sloane earlier this week. While the state already has a framework for addressing men’s health, established under the Berejiklian government in 2018, Cross claimed it had been “gathering dust for years” in an interview with the Lorikeet.

Expert opinion: Dr James Smith is a leading academic with experience in men’s health policy. He agreed with Cross’s assessment, saying that while plans had been established to address men’s health by both state and federal governments, the funding and resources are questionable.

“[The strategies] outline really important investments and actions that are required, all of which I would agree with,” said Smith. “But they haven't necessarily been matched with resourcing to address those issues at scale.”

Read the full story below.

What does Matt Cross plan to do as Minister for Men's Health?

While the shadow minister has identified many problems, clear solutions are yet to be seen.

💃 What's on this February

Back again with your monthly event guide. I have my eye on this Brittany festival in Kirribilli this weekend.

What's on this February

Breton circle dancing, alfresco dining, lunar new year and more.

🍺 What makes a Japanese Bar a Japanese Bar?

Have you been to Tachinomi YP in Crows Nest?

We spoke to owner Mitomo and manager Taihei about what makes this small bar stand out.

See the full video below.

LOOKING NATIONALLY 👀

🟠 Is Pauline Hanson's One Nation actually doing well?

If you’ve been looking at the headlines over the last couple of days, you may have seen poll after poll showing a surge in support for One Nation.

To find out how legitimate this supposed surge really is, the National Account’s Archie Milligan had a chat with the election analyst Ben Raue from politics blog the Tally Room

Watch the full interview below 👇

Or you can listen to a podcast of this conversation here 🔉

That’s all from me.

Got a story tip? An unsolved mystery? A notable local? Hit reply or reach out at [email protected].

And if you are able to support keeping local news free in our community, we would be grateful.

Cheers,

Huw