Victorian Tender Snub Leaves Local Period Care Makers Fuming

Melbourne-based producers of period products are expressing deep frustration after being overlooked in a major state government tender, labelling the decision a significant blow to local manufacturing.

The Victorian Department of Education recently awarded a contract to supply free tampons and pads in government schools, but the winning bidder is a multinational corporation. This has left several homegrown Victorian brands, who had invested time and resources in the tender process, feeling sidelined.

“It’s a real missed opportunity,” said the founder of one inner-city Melbourne period care company, who wished to remain anonymous due to future tender prospects. “We have the capacity, the ethical products, and we’re creating jobs right here in Melbourne. To see that contract go offshore is incredibly disheartening.”

Industry advocates argue that sourcing locally would have kept taxpayer money circulating within the Victorian economy and supported small businesses still recovering from pandemic pressures. They also highlight the potential to promote brands that often champion sustainable materials and body-positive messaging to the very students the program aims to support.

A government spokesperson defended the procurement, stating the tender was conducted fairly and focused on securing value for money and reliable supply for hundreds of schools across the state. They emphasised that the rollout of free period products in schools remains a positive, nation-leading initiative.

However, for the local operators in Brunswick, Preston, and Footscray who missed out, the message feels clear. “We’re told to buy local and support Victorian jobs,” one founder remarked. “It’s disappointing when the government itself doesn’t seem to follow that principle.”