MEDIA RELEASES

Darryl O’Donnell steps down as CEO of Health Equity Matters

Health Equity Matters pays tribute to chief executive officer, Adjunct Professor Darryl O’Donnell, who is stepping down after eight impactful years leading the organisation. Health Equity Matters president, Mark Orr AM, said O’Donnell had been a transformative leader. “Darryl became chief executive at a very challenging time for the organisation. In the years since, he […]

WORLD AIDS DAY: HIV Taskforce charts path to ending HIV transmission by 2030

As we prepare to mark World AIDS Day, a report from Australia’s HIV Taskforce charts a realistic path to ending HIV transmission by the end of the decade. Health Equity Matters, the federation of Australia’s leading HIV LGBTIQA+ health organisations, strongly endorses the report which broadly recommends: The Taskforce was led by the Health Minister, […]

Blair Comley PSM welcomed as next Secretary of Department of Health and Aged Care

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has welcomed new Budget funding that lays important foundations for expanding LGBTIQ health services and accelerating the end of HIV transmission in Australia.

Australia charts a path to zero on World AIDS Day

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has welcomed new Budget funding that lays important foundations for expanding LGBTIQ health services and accelerating the end of HIV transmission in Australia.

HIV Budget lays strong foundations for LGBTIQ health and steps up HIV effort

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has welcomed new Budget funding that lays important foundations for expanding LGBTIQ health services and accelerating the end of HIV transmission in Australia.

HIV leaders recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations recognises the profound contribution to Australian public health and HIV research, prevention and treatment, made by the following Queen’s Birthday honours recipients. NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant AO, for distinguished service to the people of NSW through public health administration and governance and to medicine. Dr Chant has […]

Labor commitments on HIV, LGBTIQ health a big step forward

AFAO warmly welcomes new commitments from Federal Labor to end Australia’s HIV epidemic and bolster the health of LGBTIQ people. Labor has announced that, if elected, it will establish a bipartisan taskforce to drive the effort to end HIV transmission and also restore funding to peak organisations involved in the community-led HIV response. It will […]

ACON CEO, Nic Parkhill honoured on Australia Day

ACON CEO Nic Parkhill’s decades of service to HIV treatment and prevention, and LGBTQI health have been recognised with a thoroughly deserved appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Over three decades, Nic Parkhill has fought tirelessly and effectively to advance the health and wellbeing of people in HIV-positive and LGBTQ communities. […]

WORLD AIDS DAY MARKED BY FRESH COMMITMENT TO END HIV TRANSMISSION

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has warmly welcomed new commitments from the Commonwealth Government to drive the end of Australian HIV transmission, along with renewed affirmation of Australia’s multi-decade, bipartisan HIV response. At today’s World AIDS Day Parliamentary Breakfast, the Health Minister, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, marked the 40th anniversary of AIDS by […]

LEADERS IN AUSTRALIA’S HIV RESPONSE RECOGNISED WITH QUEENS’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations congratulates those who have received honours in this year’s Queens Birthday Awards.  Associate Professor Edwina Wright, Janet Jukes, Dr Elizabeth Crock and Gino Vumbaca have all received honours. All four have taken leading roles in Australia’s response to HIV. Associate Professor Edwina Wight has been honoured for her service to medicine and […]

AUSTRALIAN HIV RESPONSE STRENGTHENED BY MINISTER HUNT’S WORLD AIDS DAY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has warmly welcomed an announcement from the Health Minister, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, to ensure every person living in Australia with HIV has access to life saving antiretroviral medicine, regardless of Medicare eligibility.

CRISIS IN LGBTIQ MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE POINTS TO INVESTMENT FAILURE

The Commonwealth Government must develop a mental health and suicide prevention blueprint to tackle the crisis of unmet need within the LGBTIQ community. La Trobe University research released today found 57.2% of more than 6,000 surveyed lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people were experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress, while […]

COVID COMMISSION NEEDS COMMUNITY INPUT TO MINIMISE OUTBREAKS

The COVID Commission needs at least two dedicated commissioners to represent people experiencing poverty, in an effort to prevent marginalised communities being overlooked in the national containment effort. The recommendation is central to a new briefing paper on COVID-19 developed for National Cabinet by the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) and the Australian Council […]

COVID-19 DEMANDS A NEW APPROACH TO HIV IN ASIA PACIFIC

The disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic means the HIV response in Asia and the Pacific should consider new methods…

ANWERNEKENHE NATIONAL HIV ALLIANCE (ANA) STATEMENT ON BLACK LIVES MATTER

(ANA is AFAO’s member organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities affected by HIV) BLACK LIVES MATTER The Black Lives Matter movement represents a catalyst to overhaul relationships not only between First Nations Australians, the police and the criminal justice system, but between First Nations people and the Australian community as a whole, the […]

SHORTER BLOOD DONATION PERIOD A WELCOME DECISION

The Therapeutic Goods Administration’s decision to revise the blood donation deferral period for gay and bisexual men to three months is a sensible improvement that will expand the pool of blood donors when implemented.

INFORMATION FOR TRUVADA AND ATRIPLA DELISTING

From 1 April 2020 Truvada for HIV treatment and for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will no longer be available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

LGBTI people, health and COVID-19

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations and the National LGBTI Health Alliance today called for health practitioners and medical professionals to ensure the health needs of LGBTI people are considered across all responses to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Ending HIV transmission demands resolve

The Federal Government’s decision to extend funding for organisations at the heart of the nation’s HIV prevention effort will bolster Australia’s impressive progress in reducing new transmissions and combating stigma.

HIV transmission in sharp decline, but more work needed

Australia’s HIV prevention effort is the strongest it has been in almost two decades, thanks to sustained emphasis on testing, treatment as prevention, and increased uptake of the HIV prevention medicine, PrEP.

G20 reinforces importance of Global Fund in ending HIV epidemic

The G20 has endorsed the financial replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, reinforcing the case for Australia to also play its part in ending the world’s three great epidemics.

AFAO applauds Minister Hunt’s call for Asia-Pacific TB eradication

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations strongly endorses Health Minister Greg Hunt’s call to eradicate tuberculosis in the Asia Pacific within a decade.

Health leaders recognised with Queens Birthday honours

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has paid tribute to four health leaders recognised in this week’s Queen’s Birthday honours list.

AFAO Welcome HIV self-testing device

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisation welcomes the availability of new HIV self-testing technology on the Australian market.

$45 million federal funding boost will turbocharge progress against HIV

$45 million federal funding boost will turbocharge progress against HIV. The Government has granted the greatest increase in funding for HIV initiatives

Vale Chris Gration

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations expresses its deepest sadness with the death of Chris Gration.

AFAO welcomes US commitment to ending HIV transmission by 2030

AFAO welcomes President Trump’s commitment to ending HIV transmission in the United States by 2030, announced in his State of the Union address.

Key figures in HIV response recognised with Australia Day honours

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has paid tribute to five leaders of Australia’s HIV response who have been recognised in the Australia Day 2019 Honours list.

Self testing adds momentum to HIV prevention effort

The approval of Australia’s first HIV self-test will add momentum to the HIV prevention effort by making testing more accessible, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations said today.

AFAO welcome Robert Griew as President

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations is pleased to announce the election of Robert Griew as its president.

My Health Record opt out period

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) joins others today in expressing concern about the end of the My Health Record opt out period.

HIV diagnoses falls to lowest level since 2010, but progress is patchy

HIV diagnoses in Australia have fallen to the lowest level since 2010, according to data released by the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney today, but there are serious concerns over the lack of progress among heterosexual and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

LGBT victory over Indian penal code

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has hailed a ground-breaking decision by India’s Supreme Court to strike down laws criminalising LGBT people, by annulling key provisions of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

AFAO welcomes ministerial appointments

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) has welcomed the re-appointment of the Hon Greg Hunt MP as Minister for Health and the Hon Ken Wyatt MP as Minister for Indigenous Health.

Sex worker advocate recognised with Queen’s Birthday honours

The inclusion of Julie Bates in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honour list is a recognition of her extraordinary achievements as an advocate and campaigner, and a milestone moment in the acceptance of sex work in Australia.

AFAO welcomes budget commitment to PrEP and mental health

The Commonwealth Government’s Budget night commitment of $180 million to fund access to the HIV prevention pill, PrEP, will drive a sharp reduction in HIV transmission.

HIV prevention pill available on PBS from April 1

The HIV prevention pill, PrEP, will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from April 1, giving Australia its greatest opportunity yet to drive serious reductions in HIV transmission.

Australia loses a leader. Vale David Cooper

David Cooper was a man of science, but he never forgot that people are at the centre of the HIV epidemic.

HIV prevention pill approved by PBAC

Today’s PBAC decision to recommend PBS listing of the HIV prevention pill, PrEP, is a critical step towards dramatically reducing HIV transmission in Australia, according to the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations.

Passing of a Staunch Advocate

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this contains names of people who have passed away.

Funding commitment would help drive end of HIV transmission

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has welcomed federal Labor’s commitment to fund a reinvigorated community-led HIV response, critical to Australia reaching its goal of ending HIV transmission.

AFAO welcomes Government commitment to community-led HIV response

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to a package of policies that will provide important support to the community-led HIV response.

World AIDS Day – Fewer Than Half of HIV Positive People in Asia Have Access to Medicine 

New UNAIDS figures released for World AIDS Day reveal that fewer than half the people living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific have access to life-saving antiretroviral medicine.

Vale Levinia Crooks, A Tireless Fighter in Australia’s HIV/AIDS Response

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) is today paying tribute to Levinia Crooks, AM, a leading figure in Australia’s HIV/AIDS response, who passed away over the weekend.

Advisory body defers Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme recommendation for HIV prevention pill

AFAO has called on two drug companies and the PBS to fast track negotiations after today’s disappointing decision to defer listing PrEP.

$32.5 million annually for new effort would end Australian HIV Transmission

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations’ HIV Blueprint charts a course to avert 2,025 HIV transmissions within three years, saving $32.5 million annually.

Federal Budget: Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients Costly and Pointless

    MEDIA RELEASE 10 May 2017 FEDERAL BUDGET: DRUG TESTING OF WELFARE RECIPIENTS COSTLY AND POINTLESS The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL), Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) and the Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association have warned that drug testing welfare recipients […]

Encouraging Signs in Budget for HIV Prevention Medication

HIV Prevention Medication: AFAO has welcomed the Government’s Budget-night commitment to make the HIV prevention pill, PrEP, available through the PBS.

Darryl O’Donnell steps down as CEO of Health Equity Matters

Health Equity Matters pays tribute to chief executive officer, Adjunct Professor Darryl O’Donnell, who is stepping down after eight impactful years leading the organisation. Health Equity Matters president, Mark Orr AM, said O’Donnell had been a transformative leader. “Darryl became chief executive at a very challenging time for the organisation. In the years since, he […]

WORLD AIDS DAY: HIV Taskforce charts path to ending HIV transmission by 2030

As we prepare to mark World AIDS Day, a report from Australia’s HIV Taskforce charts a realistic path to ending HIV transmission by the end of the decade. Health Equity Matters, the federation of Australia’s leading HIV LGBTIQA+ health organisations, strongly endorses the report which broadly recommends: The Taskforce was led by the Health Minister, […]

Blair Comley PSM welcomed as next Secretary of Department of Health and Aged Care

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has welcomed new Budget funding that lays important foundations for expanding LGBTIQ health services and accelerating the end of HIV transmission in Australia.

Australia charts a path to zero on World AIDS Day

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has welcomed new Budget funding that lays important foundations for expanding LGBTIQ health services and accelerating the end of HIV transmission in Australia.

HIV Budget lays strong foundations for LGBTIQ health and steps up HIV effort

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has welcomed new Budget funding that lays important foundations for expanding LGBTIQ health services and accelerating the end of HIV transmission in Australia.

HIV leaders recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations recognises the profound contribution to Australian public health and HIV research, prevention and treatment, made by the following Queen’s Birthday honours recipients. NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant AO, for distinguished service to the people of NSW through public health administration and governance and to medicine. Dr Chant has […]

Labor commitments on HIV, LGBTIQ health a big step forward

AFAO warmly welcomes new commitments from Federal Labor to end Australia’s HIV epidemic and bolster the health of LGBTIQ people. Labor has announced that, if elected, it will establish a bipartisan taskforce to drive the effort to end HIV transmission and also restore funding to peak organisations involved in the community-led HIV response. It will […]

ACON CEO, Nic Parkhill honoured on Australia Day

ACON CEO Nic Parkhill’s decades of service to HIV treatment and prevention, and LGBTQI health have been recognised with a thoroughly deserved appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Over three decades, Nic Parkhill has fought tirelessly and effectively to advance the health and wellbeing of people in HIV-positive and LGBTQ communities. […]

WORLD AIDS DAY MARKED BY FRESH COMMITMENT TO END HIV TRANSMISSION

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has warmly welcomed new commitments from the Commonwealth Government to drive the end of Australian HIV transmission, along with renewed affirmation of Australia’s multi-decade, bipartisan HIV response. At today’s World AIDS Day Parliamentary Breakfast, the Health Minister, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, marked the 40th anniversary of AIDS by […]

LEADERS IN AUSTRALIA’S HIV RESPONSE RECOGNISED WITH QUEENS’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations congratulates those who have received honours in this year’s Queens Birthday Awards.  Associate Professor Edwina Wright, Janet Jukes, Dr Elizabeth Crock and Gino Vumbaca have all received honours. All four have taken leading roles in Australia’s response to HIV. Associate Professor Edwina Wight has been honoured for her service to medicine and […]

AUSTRALIAN HIV RESPONSE STRENGTHENED BY MINISTER HUNT’S WORLD AIDS DAY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has warmly welcomed an announcement from the Health Minister, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, to ensure every person living in Australia with HIV has access to life saving antiretroviral medicine, regardless of Medicare eligibility.

CRISIS IN LGBTIQ MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE POINTS TO INVESTMENT FAILURE

The Commonwealth Government must develop a mental health and suicide prevention blueprint to tackle the crisis of unmet need within the LGBTIQ community. La Trobe University research released today found 57.2% of more than 6,000 surveyed lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people were experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress, while […]

COVID COMMISSION NEEDS COMMUNITY INPUT TO MINIMISE OUTBREAKS

The COVID Commission needs at least two dedicated commissioners to represent people experiencing poverty, in an effort to prevent marginalised communities being overlooked in the national containment effort. The recommendation is central to a new briefing paper on COVID-19 developed for National Cabinet by the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) and the Australian Council […]

COVID-19 DEMANDS A NEW APPROACH TO HIV IN ASIA PACIFIC

The disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic means the HIV response in Asia and the Pacific should consider new methods…

ANWERNEKENHE NATIONAL HIV ALLIANCE (ANA) STATEMENT ON BLACK LIVES MATTER

(ANA is AFAO’s member organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities affected by HIV) BLACK LIVES MATTER The Black Lives Matter movement represents a catalyst to overhaul relationships not only between First Nations Australians, the police and the criminal justice system, but between First Nations people and the Australian community as a whole, the […]

SHORTER BLOOD DONATION PERIOD A WELCOME DECISION

The Therapeutic Goods Administration’s decision to revise the blood donation deferral period for gay and bisexual men to three months is a sensible improvement that will expand the pool of blood donors when implemented.

INFORMATION FOR TRUVADA AND ATRIPLA DELISTING

From 1 April 2020 Truvada for HIV treatment and for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will no longer be available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

LGBTI people, health and COVID-19

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations and the National LGBTI Health Alliance today called for health practitioners and medical professionals to ensure the health needs of LGBTI people are considered across all responses to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Ending HIV transmission demands resolve

The Federal Government’s decision to extend funding for organisations at the heart of the nation’s HIV prevention effort will bolster Australia’s impressive progress in reducing new transmissions and combating stigma.

HIV transmission in sharp decline, but more work needed

Australia’s HIV prevention effort is the strongest it has been in almost two decades, thanks to sustained emphasis on testing, treatment as prevention, and increased uptake of the HIV prevention medicine, PrEP.

G20 reinforces importance of Global Fund in ending HIV epidemic

The G20 has endorsed the financial replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, reinforcing the case for Australia to also play its part in ending the world’s three great epidemics.

AFAO applauds Minister Hunt’s call for Asia-Pacific TB eradication

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations strongly endorses Health Minister Greg Hunt’s call to eradicate tuberculosis in the Asia Pacific within a decade.

Health leaders recognised with Queens Birthday honours

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has paid tribute to four health leaders recognised in this week’s Queen’s Birthday honours list.

AFAO Welcome HIV self-testing device

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisation welcomes the availability of new HIV self-testing technology on the Australian market.

$45 million federal funding boost will turbocharge progress against HIV

$45 million federal funding boost will turbocharge progress against HIV. The Government has granted the greatest increase in funding for HIV initiatives

Vale Chris Gration

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations expresses its deepest sadness with the death of Chris Gration.

AFAO welcomes US commitment to ending HIV transmission by 2030

AFAO welcomes President Trump’s commitment to ending HIV transmission in the United States by 2030, announced in his State of the Union address.

Key figures in HIV response recognised with Australia Day honours

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has paid tribute to five leaders of Australia’s HIV response who have been recognised in the Australia Day 2019 Honours list.

Self testing adds momentum to HIV prevention effort

The approval of Australia’s first HIV self-test will add momentum to the HIV prevention effort by making testing more accessible, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations said today.

AFAO welcome Robert Griew as President

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations is pleased to announce the election of Robert Griew as its president.

My Health Record opt out period

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) joins others today in expressing concern about the end of the My Health Record opt out period.

HIV diagnoses falls to lowest level since 2010, but progress is patchy

HIV diagnoses in Australia have fallen to the lowest level since 2010, according to data released by the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney today, but there are serious concerns over the lack of progress among heterosexual and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

LGBT victory over Indian penal code

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has hailed a ground-breaking decision by India’s Supreme Court to strike down laws criminalising LGBT people, by annulling key provisions of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

AFAO welcomes ministerial appointments

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) has welcomed the re-appointment of the Hon Greg Hunt MP as Minister for Health and the Hon Ken Wyatt MP as Minister for Indigenous Health.

Sex worker advocate recognised with Queen’s Birthday honours

The inclusion of Julie Bates in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honour list is a recognition of her extraordinary achievements as an advocate and campaigner, and a milestone moment in the acceptance of sex work in Australia.

AFAO welcomes budget commitment to PrEP and mental health

The Commonwealth Government’s Budget night commitment of $180 million to fund access to the HIV prevention pill, PrEP, will drive a sharp reduction in HIV transmission.

HIV prevention pill available on PBS from April 1

The HIV prevention pill, PrEP, will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from April 1, giving Australia its greatest opportunity yet to drive serious reductions in HIV transmission.

Australia loses a leader. Vale David Cooper

David Cooper was a man of science, but he never forgot that people are at the centre of the HIV epidemic.

HIV prevention pill approved by PBAC

Today’s PBAC decision to recommend PBS listing of the HIV prevention pill, PrEP, is a critical step towards dramatically reducing HIV transmission in Australia, according to the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations.

Passing of a Staunch Advocate

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this contains names of people who have passed away.

Funding commitment would help drive end of HIV transmission

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations has welcomed federal Labor’s commitment to fund a reinvigorated community-led HIV response, critical to Australia reaching its goal of ending HIV transmission.

AFAO welcomes Government commitment to community-led HIV response

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to a package of policies that will provide important support to the community-led HIV response.

World AIDS Day – Fewer Than Half of HIV Positive People in Asia Have Access to Medicine 

New UNAIDS figures released for World AIDS Day reveal that fewer than half the people living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific have access to life-saving antiretroviral medicine.

Vale Levinia Crooks, A Tireless Fighter in Australia’s HIV/AIDS Response

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) is today paying tribute to Levinia Crooks, AM, a leading figure in Australia’s HIV/AIDS response, who passed away over the weekend.

Advisory body defers Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme recommendation for HIV prevention pill

AFAO has called on two drug companies and the PBS to fast track negotiations after today’s disappointing decision to defer listing PrEP.

$32.5 million annually for new effort would end Australian HIV Transmission

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations’ HIV Blueprint charts a course to avert 2,025 HIV transmissions within three years, saving $32.5 million annually.

Federal Budget: Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients Costly and Pointless

    MEDIA RELEASE 10 May 2017 FEDERAL BUDGET: DRUG TESTING OF WELFARE RECIPIENTS COSTLY AND POINTLESS The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL), Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) and the Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association have warned that drug testing welfare recipients […]

Encouraging Signs in Budget for HIV Prevention Medication

HIV Prevention Medication: AFAO has welcomed the Government’s Budget-night commitment to make the HIV prevention pill, PrEP, available through the PBS.