Melissa Parke (Fremantle, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Global Fund, a partnership between government, civil society and the private sector, works to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. It raises and invests nearly $4 billion per annum into programs run by local experts in more than 100 countries and communities most in need. The Global Fund's cumulative results as of the end of 2015 show the significant impact the initiative has had in supporting programs that aim to end HIV, TB and malaria as epidemics and strengthen health systems.

Since the partnership's creation in 2002, Global Fund grants have assisted in providing antiretroviral treatment for 8.6 million people currently living with HIV, the detection and treatment of 15 million TB cases, the purchase and distribution of 600 million mosquito nets, the distribution of 5.2 billion condoms, and 16 million training sessions for health workers. Since 2002 the program is reported to have saved more than 17 million lives, with more than two million lives saved each year. By the end of this year the fund will have assisted countries in saving 22 million lives, if current trends hold.

Funding contributions are organised into three-year replenishment cycles. The next, to be held mid this year, seeks to raise US$13 billion to end HIV, TB and malaria as epidemics by 2030. I urge the Australian government to make a significant contribution at the replenishment conference. The global benefits of this alliance are proven.

Finally, I wish to recognise and pay tribute to Svend Robinson for his elegant and effective advocacy for the Global Fund. I also want to acknowledge the wonderful work of RESULTS Australia.