Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

28 August each year is World Hepatitis Day, which highlights the important work globally of eliminating hepatitis and supporting those with the virus. One in 75 people in Australia are living with either hepatitis B or hepatitis C, and it is the fastest-growing cause of cancer death in Australia. We've made significant steps towards viral hepatitis elimination, but our job is not done. One-quarter of people living with chronic hepatitis B have not been diagnosed. Only half the people living with hepatitis C have started antiviral treatment. That is simply not good enough. Every person in Australia deserves timely, affordable access to the health care needed to support their health and prevent viral hepatitis. A lack of diagnosis and treatment leaves others exposed to these viruses.

Thankfully, we're well on our way to taking further action. Hepatitis Australia have created the Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy and the Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy. These strategies have the capacity to make real changes to this underdiagnosed and under-understood disease. To my fellow parliamentarians: I encourage you to continue engaging with affected communities in your electorates, in your states, and supporting the ongoing awareness-raising actions here in the parliament and in your communities. In keeping with the theme for this year, 'Hepatitis can't wait,' I say: neither should we.