The federal government has announced new funding for HIV prevention strategies.

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) has welcomed the move, calling the new funds ‘substantial’.

AFAO Executive Director Don Baxter said “The substantial increases for prevention and for indigenous health […] will enable all states to reinvest in their HIV prevention and support programs.”

But he also warned that strict accountability guidelines should be put in place to ensure the money was in fact spent on HIV prevention.

“The new COAG arrangements simplify Commonwealth-State funding arrangements, which we support,” Baxter said, “But they also roll the HIV and other public health funds into the same bucket.”

He warned that state governments might spend the money on hospitals and other “hot” issues instead of the intended programs.

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s insistence on these arrangements and the Premiers’ stated agreement to them,” Baxter said.

Baxter said there was a clear correlation between spending on HIV prevention programs and lowering the HIV infection rate.

“In New South Wales, adequate resources have been maintained for HIV prevention and the infection rate has been stable over the last decade,” Baxter said. “Victoria and Queensland reduced spending significantly and their infection rates increased by 131 per cent and 55 per cent respectively.”

“It really is that simple.”

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