The federal government’s pledge of $266 million to help battle infectious diseases in the Indo-Pacific region has been welcomed by health experts.
Australia has become the sixth donor to provide an early pledge to the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.
Chair of Pacific Friends of Global Health and chief executive of Burnet Institute, Professor Brendan Crabb said the pledge was proof of Australia’s leadership in global health and underscored its regional leadership.
“We thank the Australian Government for this life-saving commitment,”
Professor Crabb said.
“This $266 million pledge for the 8th Replenishment provides extraordinary value and impact – saving lives, strengthening our region and enhancing Australia’s own health security.
“Investing to strengthen health systems and lower the burden of diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria makes the region healthier and more resilient.”
Australia’s funding pledge came as a major new report outlined escalating health crises in the region such as HIV outbreaks in Fiji and Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Launched in Canberra on Wednesday, The Global Fund’s Indo-Pacific Regional Impact Report reveals that PNG recorded 11,000 new HIV cases in 2024 alone, equivalent to 30 new infections each day with nearly half among young people aged 24 and below.
Meanwhile, Fiji officially declared a HIV outbreak in January 2025 following 1600 new infections in 2024, and tuberculosis (TB) infection rates across the region have reached crisis levels.
However the report also found that by investing money in fighting these diseases, Australia could expect strong returns, with the Global Fund claiming every $1 invested delivered $13.60 in direct benefits.
“The report lays bare the fact that this is not a distant crisis. They are health emergencies on our doorstep that directly impact Australia’s health security,” Professor Crabb said.
“Papua New Guinea and Fiji are facing incredibly fast-moving HIV outbreaks while TB remains PNG’s deadliest disease. Australia’s leadership is essential in bringing these numbers down and today’s investment will help.
“These health challenges are compounded by rising social pressures — from increased intravenous drug use among young people, to poverty, and housing insecurity. These factors are accelerating the spread of disease and making already fragile health systems even harder to maintain. So far, Australia’s investment in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, has saved more than 65 million lives since 2002.”
