On the eve of World AIDS Day, the Albanese Government has delivered another election commitment, with the release of the report of the HIV Taskforce.
The report findings will inform the 9th National HIV Strategy, which is currently under development, and will help ramp up Australia’s efforts to eliminate HIV transmission by 2030.
The report sets out recommendations on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), testing, treatment, awareness, decriminalisation, destigmatisation and maintaining effective partnerships.
The Taskforce was chaired by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, and deputy chaired by Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney.
Membership included representatives of people living with HIV, academics, health professionals, sex workers, the First Nations health sector, the LGBTIQA+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
The Government thanks the Taskforce members for their work and spirit of cooperation.
One of the enduring strengths of Australia’s HIV response has been, and continues to be, bipartisanship.
The Government thanks Liberal Senator Dean Smith and Labor Senator Louise Pratt, the co-chairs of the Parliamentary Liaison Group for HIV/AIDS, Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections, who brought their passion and deep understanding of HIV issues in the community to the taskforce.
The Taskforce met four times this year and received presentations from additional experts, the input of young people at a HIV Youth Roundtable, and the proceedings of the 12th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science.
The full report is available here.
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.
“The HIV Taskforce report will help ensure Australia remains on track to eliminate HIV transmission by 2030.
“I was proud to chair the taskforce and work alongside so many deeply committed people whose tireless work over many years is making a real difference to the lives of so many.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Kearney:
“HIV still matters and with the release of the HIV Taskforce report we renew Australia’s efforts to end HIV.
“I was proud to serve as deputy chair on the taskforce and be inspired by the spirit of collaboration and determination of Australia’s HIV sector and those with lived experience.
“We will continue to work with the sector to eliminate HIV transmission, provide effective treatment and reduce its social and personal impact.”
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