SENATOR THE HON ANNE RUSTON

SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE

SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 18 August 2026

ANSWERS OVERDUE: SENATE INQUIRY INTO CONTAMINATED BLOOD SCANDAL

The Senate has agreed to establish an inquiry into Australia's infected blood scandal, following a referral to the Community Affairs References Committee secured through cooperation between the Coalition and the crossbench.

Thousands of Australians were infected with hepatitis C, HIV and other blood-borne viruses after receiving contaminated blood products in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston said survivors had been let down once already.

“Many of these survivors are haemophiliacs, infected through blood products rather than transfusions, and many were only children at the time. A number have since died, and those still living have waited decades for the government to properly account for what happened,” Senator Ruston said.

“In 2004 a Senate inquiry made recommendations, including that an apology be issued. More than two decades on, that apology has still not been given, and survivors have never had the answers they deserve.

“This inquiry is not the end of the process. It is the beginning. It’s a chance to finally put this issue back on the national agenda and start the work of getting survivors real answers.”

The terms of reference cover the scale and circumstances of the contamination, the adequacy of safeguards at the time, the role of commercial considerations in decisions made by government agencies, and the toll on partners, children and carers. The committee is due to report mid-2027.

Senator Ruston paid tribute to all survivors who have campaigned publicly for accountability, and thanked Senators Malcolm Roberts and Jordan Steele-John for working together to establish the inquiry.

ENDS

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