Fiona Martin (Reid, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Tomorrow, on 1 December, we will mark World AIDS Day, to raise awareness of the issues surrounding HIV and AIDS as well as to pay tribute to those who have tragically lost their lives to AIDS related conditions. The national World AIDS Day theme for 2020 is 'Now More Than Ever'. The success of antiretroviral drugs and extremely low HIV-to-AIDS progression rates make it easy to forget the devastating scar that the HIV-AIDS epidemic left on Australian society not so long ago. We remember those who lost their lives as a result of contracting HIV, and we continue to work to reduce the rate of transmission and risk for others. In many communities across our country, HIV and AIDS continue to be a source of great pain, tragedy and discrimination. The issues and stigma associated with HIV and AIDS remain a present problem to be addressed. Now more than ever, we do need to better educate ourselves and our communities about HIV, take action to reduce the transmission and ensure support for those living with the condition.

There were 833 HIV notifications in Australia in 2018, the lowest number of notifications since 2001. An estimated 90 per cent were diagnosed. In addition to this, 77 per cent of people living with HIV in Australia achieved a suppressed viral load. This is the first time Australia has reached the UNAIDS 2020 target of 73 per cent. These statistics are promising, and they paint a picture of progress. There has been a decrease in new transmissions and decreased stigma surrounding HIV, so more people feel that they can be tested and seek treatment.

Recent declines in HIV notifications have been attributed to fewer diagnoses in the gay and bisexual men community, and I'd like to commend the LGBTQIA community leaders and organisations that have worked tirelessly to advocate, to educate and to raise awareness of HIV. Their work has ensured that there are fewer barriers to treatment and less risk of transmission. It's good news that HIV prevalence continues to be very low among those who inject drugs as a result of highly successful harm-reduction strategies. The incidence of HIV among women involved in sex work is extremely low due to the successful promotion and adoption of safer sex practices, and lower rates of maternal transmission have been achieved through comprehensive medical interventions.

While this hard-won progress gives us optimism, the coalition government is committed to seeing HIV eliminated in Australia. Further action is needed to address the rising HIV transmission among our First Nations people, trans and gender diverse people and other emerging high-risk groups. Sadly, there has not been a decrease in HIV notifications among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or people acquiring HIV through heterosexual sex. The Morrison government will continue its work to reduce and eliminate the transmission of HIV. In the 2019-20 budget, $45.4 million was allocated over three years to implement Australia's five national bloodborne viruses and STI strategies. The strategies were developed in partnership with state and territory health departments, non-government organisations, affected communities, research organisations and medical professionals in a cooperative approach to address HIV. It is important that our strategies to eliminate HIV put evidence based practices and people at the centre. As we mark World AIDS Day tomorrow, it is my hope that all Australians look to the significant progress made in our fight to eliminate HIV and AIDS to inspire ongoing research and advocacy.

See this speech in context