Fight for PeriCoach funding continues after election result

An election promise to provide funding for a factory that would provide a world-leading women’s health device cannot longer be delivered after the Coalition Government went into Opposition. But the fight to secure the funds is far from over.

The future of a factory that would manufacture a world-leading women's health product in Maryborough is in doubt after the Coalition was relegated to opposition in the May federal election.

In the lead-up to the May 21 election, Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien made an election commitment of $4.8 million from a re-elected Liberal and Nationals government for Analytica to build a new production centre.

Analytica’s PeriCoach is a world-class incontinence treatment that uses a smartphone app and device sensors to help women carry out pelvic floor exercises correctly, improving continence and bladder health.

After the election, the money promised to the organisation was no longer on the table.

But those behind the plan to mass produce the PeriCoach are not giving up.

Analytica Chairman Dr Michael Monsour said he was hoping to make representatives to the new Federal Government to continue to push for the funding to make manufacturing the PeriCoach in Maryborough a reality.

Mr O’Brien was also keen to continue the fight to bring the factory to the city.

“I am keen to see the manufacture of PeriCoach in Maryborough by Analytica Ltd and I will work with the new Government to explore opportunities to bring it here,” he said.

“Not only would it create jobs in Maryborough but the device itself helps prevent female incontinence and premature admission into residential aged care, so it is a very worthy investment.

The company's chief operating officer, the woman Dr Michael Monsour describes as the brains behind the endeavour, Chelsea Cornelius said the PeriCoach was helping women beat stress urinary incontinence.

“This funding would also achieve ongoing savings in the health portfolio by addressing the cause and not just the symptoms.

“I hope the new government recognises the benefits of PeriCoach to women, to Maryborough and to the budget.

“Once the new Government establishes its funding programs I will write to the Minister recommending their support to establish this manufacturing facility in Maryborough.”

In addition to the funding for the PeriCoach factory, Mr O’Brien said a commitment of funding to the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum should also be maintained by the new government.

“The $700,000 commitment to upgrade and improve access to the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum has already been budgeted and the funding for the project has been allocated,” he said.

“We just need the new Minister to authorise their department to enter into contract negotiations with the Museum to enable it to proceed.

“I have written to the new Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, to ask that this funding be maintained in his October budget and delivered to the Museum as soon as possible.

“Given the funding has been budgeted it would be very disappointing for Maryborough and for every visitor to the Museum who wants to learn about Maryborough‘s rich military history, if the new Government cancelled this funding commitment.”

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said he would also make representations to the new Labor Government to commit to funding for the PeriCoach.

The Chronicle contacted Mr Chalmers for a response but had not received one by the time of publishing.

Originally published as Fight for PeriCoach funding continues after election result