The Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC) has welcomed the allocation in the State Budget of $16.6 million over four years to reduce rates of HIV transmission and prevent other communicable diseases, but has warned of a severe shortfall in valuable research if Commonwealth funding is not renewed in June.

“This will enable us to continue our efforts to reduce the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in Victoria,” Mike Kennedy, the executive director of VAC/GMHC, said. “The projects that were begun with the one-off injection of funds to this area in 2007–08 have contributed to a reduction in new HIV diagnoses. 

“We’ve always said that turning around the Victorian increases would require a co-ordinated effort over several years,” Kennedy continued. “This new funding will enable the Victorian HIV sector to move from a project-based response to the programmatic response that evidence from other jurisdictions tells us is required to achieve sustained decreases.

The budget papers indicate that $2.5 million will be available in 2008–09 to implement the Department of Human Services’ Action Plan to address increased rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections amongst gay men in Victoria.
People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria’s President, Brett Hayhoe, said last year’s increase in HIV transmission rates had sent a clear message that more money needed to be spent. 

“Minister Andrews has now set the wheels in motion,” he said. “Since becoming Health Minister, we have seen him talk the talk and now walk the walk. We have been pleased with both the minister and his department for the way that they have engaged with the sector, asked for our advice, and now responded accordingly.”
However, Kennedy expressed concern that inaction by the Commonwealth government was putting Australia’s world-renowned HIV research program at risk, with funding in doubt for three key national research centres that provide the evidence that underpins VAC/GMHC’s work.

"Seven weeks from the end of the financial year we have no guarantees from the Commonwealth government that funding to continue the vital work of these centres will be available after 30 June,” he said. Mr Kennedy called on the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, to guarantee ongoing Commonwealth funding for the research centres.

by KATHRYN GOLDIE