Submission on the Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill

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October 03, 2025

In Summary

For over four decades, partnerships between governments, researchers, clinicians and peer-led and community organisations have played an important role in public health in Australia.

Many populations impacted by BBV and STI experience stigma, criminalisation and surveillance. This can result in public health advice that frames our communities as ‘vectors of disease’ or threats to public health.

Australia's Centre for Disease Control must have mechanisms to speak to and learn from sex workers' on the ground experiences in real-time. This ensures that policy advice and health promotion is up-to-date, culturally appropriate, and reflects our lived realities.

Submission on the Australian Centre for Disease Control

In 2025, the Australian Government introduced a Bill to establish the Australian Centre for Disease Control.

Scarlet Alliance argued that strong partnerships and collaboration between governments, affected communities, NGOs, clinicians and research bodies are essential to delivering successful public health responses in Australia. Australia’s Centre for Disease Control must recognise and support the expertise and capabilities of peer and community organisations in responding to existing and emerging public health challenges, and provide frameworks to ensure that affected communities can share knowledge and provide input into the decisions that impact them.

Submission on the Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill – Scarlet Alliance

Submission on the Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill

Submission on the Australian Centre for Disease Control