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 STATEMENT

Tuesday, 11th August 2026

Decades ago, thousands of Australians, many of them children, were infected with Hepatitis C and HIV through contaminated blood products. Many have carried the physical and emotional toll of that ever since.

I have met with a group of these survivors and listened to their stories. Health Minister Mark Butler has refused to do the same.

Instead, Mr Butler’s office wrote back to survivors pointing to a compensation scheme that doesn't even match the timeframe or circumstances of the people affected. That's not an answer; it is a sign the Government still doesn't properly understand what these Australians have been through.

No one has ever properly explained to these Australians how this happened. No one has ever said sorry.

The survivors deserve the truth about what happened to them and they deserve an apology.

Minister Butler should sit down with the survivors of this tragedy and begin working toward answers.

ENDS