HFA’s media release in response to the ABC Australian Story ‘Bad Blood’ episode aired on 10 August 2026 is below. [Download the PDF (160KB)]
Release date: Wednesday 12 August 2026
Support is needed now for Australians with bleeding disorders infected by hepatitis C
- Recent reporting shines light on persistent injustice: This week’s Australian Story brought to light once more the ongoing impact of infected blood products in the 1970s–90s and the lack of support for affected Australians with haemophilia.
- Australia’s response is lagging: Unlike the UK, which swiftly acted on its 2024 Infected Blood Inquiry, Australia still has no dedicated financial support or compensation scheme specifically recognising our community.
- It’s time to leave no one behind: Following 20 years of advocacy, Haemophilia Foundation Australia (HFA) submitted a potential financial scheme to the Federal Government in July 2025, urging the government to act.
Wednesday, 12 August 2026, Melbourne: As this week’s Australian Story brings to light once more the impacts of infected blood and blood products in the 1970s-90s on Australians with bleeding disorders, Haemophilia Foundation Australia (HFA) is calling on the Australian Government to recognise the ongoing needs of our affected community through acknowledgement and financial support.
In 2003 the Australian Red Cross Blood Service estimated that around 1,350 Australians with bleeding disorders had acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) through infected blood products before 1993.
More than 30 years on, many have since died. Others continue to live with liver disease, reduced life expectancy, debilitating health impacts, psychological and emotional trauma and significant financial hardship. For some, the consequences have extended into their working lives, relationships, retirement savings and financial security.
HFA is calling on the Australian Government to recognise that the need has not gone away and that the time for action is now.
HFA has spent more than two decades advocating for meaningful recognition and support for people affected by HCV. In 2025, HFA surveyed Australians with bleeding disorders and HCV to better understand their current experiences and priorities. The message from the 76 responses was clear: our community wants acknowledgement of what happened and practical support to address the ongoing consequences.
This is reinforced by HFA’s Getting Older needs assessment, which found that the impacts of HCV continue even for people who have been cured of the virus.
Natashia Coco, Executive Director of HFA, said the Government now has a clear opportunity to address a longstanding gap in support.
“For the last twenty years, HFA has sought support for our community who acquired life altering blood borne viruses from the blood and blood products provided by the Australian blood system they relied on and trusted.
“HFA developed a potential financial scheme and submitted it to the Australian Government in July 2025. We continue to engage closely with the Government to advance the current potential financial scheme.”
The 2024 United Kingdom Infected Blood Inquiry and swift implementation of recommendations highlighted a contrast for HFA’s community. While other affected communities have received acknowledgement and support, Australians living with the consequences continue to wait.
The 2004 Senate Inquiry into hepatitis C and the blood supply recommended case management and financial support for people who acquired HCV through the blood supply, but a formal program was never implemented.
“It’s time our community received the acknowledgement and support they need. We want to work with government to find a way forward that brings our affected community members peace of mind,” Natashia says.
For more information, visit the HFA website:
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Natashia Coco
Executive Director
Haemophilia Foundation Australia
P 0403 538 109 E ncoco@haemophilia.org.au
