What is the Senate BBV Inquiry?

In August 2026 the Australian Government Senate called for an Inquiry into Contaminated blood and blood products. 

What is this Senate Inquiry investigating? 

In 2004 the Senate investigated hepatitis C and the blood supply with 6 recommendations. In the view of HFA and many in our community, outcomes of that Inquiry were vastly inadequate.  

This current Inquiry is designed to investigate: 

• some of the circumstances relating to blood products infected with bloodborne viruses (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV) 

• the impact on people infected and their partners and families  

• and what the government has done since to rectify the situation for hepatitis C. 

The Inquiry Terms of Reference and instructions for making a submission are on the Inquiry website. The Terms of Reference are also listed at the end of this page. 

Submissions close on Friday 27 November 2026.  

The report will be delivered in July 2027. 

What is a Senate Inquiry? 

A Senate Inquiry is a formal parliamentary investigation conducted by a committee of Australian Senators to examine an issue of national significance. 

To investigate the issue thoroughly, the Senate Committee gathers evidence by inviting written submissions from individuals, groups, and organisations, and by holding public hearings to listen to testimony. 

From this evidence, the Committee develops a final report detailing its findings and presenting formal recommendations to the Australian Government. The Government must respond to the Committee, but is not required to accept its recommendations (our advocacy work continues!)  

2026 INQUIRY TERMS OF REFERENCE 

The questions the Inquiry Committee are investigating are called the Terms of Reference. 

For the 2026 Inquiry, they are: 

1. That the following matters be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by the first sitting day after 30 June 2027: 
   1. the scale and nature of, and the circumstances relating to the collection, testing and supply of blood infected with Hepatitis C, HIV and other viruses it is known that people were exposed to, administered to thousands of Australians in the 1970s, 80s and 90s; 
   2. the adequacy of safety measures taken by government agencies including the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories and the role of the Australian Red Cross at the time when risks of infected blood and the Factor VIII and Factor IX blood products were recognised, including the extent to which commercial considerations influenced decisions made by those agencies; 
   3. the failure to implement recommendations of the 2004 Community Affairs References Committee report, Hepatitis C and the blood supply in Australia, including the issue of an apology to the victims and the need for one to be made; 
   4. the adequacy of government decision-making in response to the risks of infected blood including whether there was a lack of candour or openness in that response, and whether information was withheld or documents destroyed; 
   5. the impact on partners, children, parents and carers of those affected; 
   6. responsibility and compensation arising from the matters referred to in paragraph (a); and 
   7. any other related matters. 
2. That the committee, as part of the inquiry, consider hearing evidence at public hearings to ensure that survivors, including those who contracted Hepatitis C, HIV and other viruses through both blood transfusions and other blood products for those with blood illnesses such as haemophilia, their families and carers, are able to share their stories. 

SENATE INQUIRY CONTACT DETAILS 

Committee Secretariat contact: 

Committee Secretary 
Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs 
PO Box 6100 
Parliament House 
Canberra ACT 2600 
 
Phone: +61 2 6277 3515 
community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au