Accelerating Australia's efforts to eliminate HIV

The Albanese Government is accelerating Australia’s efforts to eliminate HIV transmission. 

 

After funding was extraordinarily cut by the former Government, funding will be restored to the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) and the National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA). Each organisation will receive $700,000 a year over four years to help build on successful activities to prevent HIV transmission and support people living with HIV. 

 

The Government is also delivering on our election commitment by establishing a new taskforce that will drive Australia’s HIV response and the implementation of the 9^th National HIV Strategy, which will have a clear focus on hard-to-reach populations and bring new and innovative ideas to the table. 

 

The new taskforce, chaired by the Minister for Health, will include community representatives (including AFAO and NAPWHA), medical experts and the research sector. To maintain continued bipartisanship in this area the co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends for Action on HIV/AIDS, Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually transmitted Infections will also be on the taskforce. 

 

In addition, one-off funding of $220,000 to AFAO will boost community consultation activities targeting the health issues and barriers LGBTIQ+ Australians may face. LGBTIQ+ Health Australia will also receive one-off funding of $250,000 to assist with consultation on a national LGBTIQ+ Health plan. 

 

A further $300,000 will support AFAO to establish a peer-led, contact tracing workforce development pilot as part of the national HIV response and to improve wrap around support at the time and place of HIV diagnosis. 

 

Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:  

 

“The Australian HIV response has been exceptional and world leading. 

 

“Australia has a strong, bipartisan history in our world-leading response to the HIV pandemic. However, there are still significant challenges that need to be addressed to end HIV transmission in Australia. 

 

“I’m confident this taskforce will drive Australia’s HIV response and accelerate our efforts to eliminate HIV transmission.”   

 

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Kearney:  

 

“Today on World AIDS Day, we reflect on the millions of lives lost to this virus and thank the legions of people around the world who took on the enormous task to eliminate it. 

 

“LGBTIQ+ advocates have always fought for the needs of their communities and we have come a long way thanks to their hard work. But the work is not over – we must continue to support them to address issues and barriers they face.

 

“That’s why our government is restoring funding to ensure the important work tackling HIV transmission continues.”