The campaign to stop discrimination against rural people and support a robust program to stem the scourge of Q Fever, has hit a new level this week.
NSW Farmers has joined forces with the National Farmers Federation, CWA, meat processing sector and livestock transporters to set up National Q Fever Taskforce, to advocate for better access to Q Fever vaccination.
Multiple approaches to government seeking greater investment in Q fever prevention have been made. To date, the NSW government has provided funding for two rounds of a Q Fever awareness campaign, an online learning package for general practitioners, and research into a new Q Fever vaccine.
No support has been provided by other states, and the Australian government continues to refer requests for assistance to state governments. The federal government refuses to subsidise Q Fever vaccinations that will give lifetime protection.
The new taskforce will ask state and federal governments to sign up to a National Partnership Agreement on Q Fever, which will clearly define state and federal responsibilities for managing the disease, and provide a framework for government investment.
NSW has led the way on funding awareness and new vaccine research - other states and the federal government need to step up to match this investment.
This issue is not just about farmers - Q Fever is a community health issue that can affect every person, young or old.
The Q Fever Taskforce has been established to highlight the scale of the disease and the need to raise its awareness across Australia to businesses, governments at all levels, the medical fraternity and, of course, the general community.
There can be no more ignoring the impact of this debilitating disease on rural communities.
- James Jackson is president of NSW Farmers.
