Skip to content
LGBTQIA, Medical Health Aged Care

Australia urged to accelerate action to end viral hepatitis

Hepatitis Australia 2 mins read

Friday, 5 July 2024

Australia has been urged to accelerate action to eliminate viral hepatitis, with Health Minister Mark Butler MP addressing a renewed push to curb the epidemics.

He spoke alongside Senators Louise Pratt and Dean Smith, Co-Chairs of Parliamentary Friends for ending HIV, STIs and Other Blood Borne Viruses, at Thursday’s federal parliamentary World Hepatitis Day event.

Minister Butler highlighted the need for further action on prevention. 

“In partnership with affected communities, national peak bodies, peer and community organisations and the clinical multidisciplinary workforce, we are examining how to reduce the transmission of hepatitis C in the prison system,” he said.  

“We are determined to explore new ways in which we can make a difference in those settings.” 

Minister Butler also said the government was committed to funding hepatitis B elimination, with $7.8 million for a public awareness campaign and workforce training. 

Hepatitis Australia Vice President Frank Carlus said ongoing investment was crucial to meet Australia’s goals of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. 

“Australia has been a leader in global efforts to eliminate blood-borne viruses. We have an unprecedented opportunity to end hepatitis B and C by 2030. Our task is to seize this opportunity and accelerate efforts to end these epidemics,” he said. 

“We’ve worked closely with the Commonwealth and state and territory governments on new national strategies to achieve this goal. We look forward to the release of these strategies for elimination in coming months.

“Eliminating viral hepatitis will save thousands of lives. Any delay simply prolongs the period in which people are needlessly infected and need diagnosis and treatment to stay well. 

“Accelerating our efforts now will end this epidemic earlier.”

Nearly 300,000 people in Australia live with hepatitis B or C, increasing their risk of liver disease and liver cancer.

Chronic hepatitis B can be managed effectively with antiviral treatment, but three in four people with the condition do not receive regular care. About one in five people with hepatitis C, which is both curable and preventable, do not know they have it. 

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Scarlet Alliance, Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League, Hepatitis B Voices Australia, and State and Territory Community Hepatitis Organisations attended on behalf of communities disproportionately affected by viral hepatitis. 

Sector partners including the Burnet Institute, Doherty Institute, and ASHM Health attended, representing researchers and clinicians on the frontline of efforts to eliminate the disease.

Nicoletta Estella, who has lived experience of hepatitis C and is a Peer Community Development Worker, called for a stronger focus on community responses. 

"A national response to BBVs  must include meaningful partnerships with people affected by hepatitis and continue a historical evidence based approach. Community-led harm reduction programs have saved countless lives," she said.

For more information, contact Georgie Moore 0477 779 928

More from this category

  • Medical Health Aged Care
  • 16/02/2025
  • 06:30
Dementia Australia

Join us today for the Southern Highlands Memory Walk & Jog

What: Dementia Australia’sSouthern HighlandsMemory Walk & Jog   When: Today, Sunday 16 February from 8am   Who: More than 230 locals participating on the day. People who have been impacted by dementia, their family, friends and carers.   Where: Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens, Bowral Photos and video of previous Memory Walk & Jog events for publication are available for use. For more information visit: www.memorywalk.com.au Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 433,300 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.7 million people involved in their care. We advocate for…

  • Contains:
  • Medical Health Aged Care
  • 15/02/2025
  • 06:30
Dementia Australia

Join us today for Huskisson Memory Walk & Jog

What: Dementia Australia’sHuskissonMemory Walk & Jog   When: Today, Saturday 15 February from 8am   Who: More than 230 locals participating on the day. People who have been impacted by dementia, their family, friends and carers.   Where: Voyager Park, Huskisson Photos and video of previous Memory Walk & Jog events for publication are available for use. For more information visit: www.memorywalk.com.au Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 433,300 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.7 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and…

  • Contains:
  • Community, LGBTQIA
  • 14/02/2025
  • 19:15
City of Sydney

Sydney raises the flag for 17 days of Mardi Gras

The Progress Pride Flag was tonight raised above Sydney Town Hall to officially mark the start of more than two weeks of Mardi Gras…

  • Contains:

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.