Celebrating 40 Years of Harm Reduction Policy and Leadership in Australia

Earlier this month, at Parliament House in Canberra, on Ngunnawal Country, we celebrated 40 years of harm reduction policy and leadership in Australia.

We were proud to have a room buzzing with community members, parliamentarians, sector leaders, stakeholders, and allies.

Speakers from across the political spectrum came together to celebrate Australia’s proud legacy of harm reduction policy and call for continued action.

The Hon. Rebecca White and Renee Coffey MP acknowledged the central role harm reduction has played in Australia’s world-leading HIV and hepatitis C responses, and reaffirmed government commitment to harm reduction. Renee Coffey MP also highlighted that Harm reduction in Australia hasn’t been built from the top down. It’s been community-driven shaped by those who knew what was needed and fought to make it happen.

Tim Wilson MP reinforced that harm reduction is a logical approach to healthcare and Senator Jordon Steele-John made a heartfelt appeal for greater investment in the peer workforce.

Chris Gough, AIVL president, also highlighted new ACT data reaffirming that every dollar spent on harm reduction saves many more in healthcare costs, proving that compassion is also cost-effective.

Together, the speeches conveyed a message of pride, urgency, and hope, reminding us that harm reduction saves lives, changes lives, and must remain at the heart of AOD, BBV and STI health policy.