MEDIA RELEASE
Health Equity Matters commends investment to support 2030 HIV elimination goal
Health Equity Matters has commended the Australian Government's announcement of $41.7 million over three years to support progress toward eliminating HIV transmission in Australia by 2030.
The funding, announced by Health Minister Mark Butler, will support HIV awareness, prevention, testing and treatment programs targeting under-serviced populations, including $14.1 million for Health Equity Matters and the National Association of People with HIV Australia.
"The Minister is right that Australia can be the first country to achieve virtual elimination of HIV transmission. This $41.7 million investment in community-led programs, expanded testing access, and support for under-serviced populations shows the kind of comprehensive, evidence-based approach that will get us there," Mr Heath-Paynter said.
"The partnership between government and the HIV community sector has been the cornerstone of Australia's world-leading HIV response. This funding reinforces that partnership and ensures we maintain momentum toward the 2030 elimination goal.
"Programs like the CONNECT vending machine network dispensing free HIV self-test kits are exactly the kind of innovative, accessible approaches that reduce barriers to testing and reach people who might otherwise miss out.
The announcement follows the government's recent commitments of $48 million for Pacific HIV responses and $266 million over three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
"Australia's recent HIV announcements - domestic elimination funding, Pacific crisis response, and Global Fund commitment - demonstrate a government that understands health security requires action at every level," Mr Heath-Paynter said. "This is the kind of comprehensive, sustained investment that saves lives and protects communities here and across our region."
Contact: Nick Lucchinelli 0422 229 032