When Hunter MP Dan Repacholi strode into Parliament this week, he wasn’t wearing the usual navy or black suit.
Instead, he delivered a speech in a loud, vividly patterned TradeMutt ensemble.
The federal member, who’s also the Special Envoy for Men’s Health, said it was a deliberate move to spark exactly the kind of conversation many Australian men still struggle to have.
Mr Repacholi partnered with TradeMutt co-founders Dan Allen and Ed Ross, too, to use the eye-catching outfit to highlight the subject on a national stage.
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi with TradeMutt co-founders Dan Allen and Ed Ross. Image: Supplied
The custom design is part of the organisation’s ongoing mission to break down stigma and create approachable pathways for men to reach out.
The suit also drew attention to This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS), a not-for-profit counselling service established by Mr Allen and Mr Ross after losing a close friend to suicide.
TIACS provides free mental health support to tradies, apprentices, truck drivers, farmers, miners, hospitality workers and “anyone doing it tough”.
The service has no wait times and doesn’t require a referral.
Mr Repacholi said wearing the suit in Parliament was about sending a message that help-seeking should feel normal, not shameful.
“I’ve donned this because too many blokes are still doing it tough in silence,” he explained.
“If a bright outfit gets one man talking or one mate checking in, it’s worth every bit of attention.
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi. Image: Supplied
“After missing the Olympic teams in 2000 and 2024, I struggled massively with my confidence and mental health.
“So, I know how hard it is to reach out, which is why services like TIACS are so important.
“Talking isn’t weakness, it’s strength.
“TIACS makes it simple for men to pick up the phone or send a text when they need it.
“If we want to stop losing seven males a day to suicide, we need to make conversations about mental health as normal as talking about footy or work.
“Every time a bloke reaches out, it’s not just him who benefits, it strengthens families, workplaces and whole communities.”
The organisation has already staged more than 50,000 conversations, often occurring on worksites, utes, sheds or homes, across the country.
Mr Allen welcomed the opportunity to highlight the partnership and the impact of TIACS throughout Australia’s blue-collar workforce.
“Ed and I are incredibly proud to have built a model that is meeting workers needs head on, but there are still so many more out there who are struggling in silence that deserve to be supported,” he said.
“Tradies, truckies and farmers are the cornerstone of this country.
“But, even the hardest workers deserve the best support when times get tough.
“We hope Dan’s stance can be a catalyst for further assistance for one of Australia’s most important sectors.”
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