Media Release
BOB McMULLAN MP
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FRASER
AA010 9 February 2009
Australia hosts new player in the fight against malaria
Australia will this week host the launch of a new regional network established to vigorously
scale-up efforts to fight malaria in the Asia Pacific region.
“The inaugural meeting of the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network in Brisbane will give
countries an opportunity to collectively share their experiences and progress towards malaria
elimination,” Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan
said.
“That Australia is hosting the network’s inaugural meeting is a further demonstration of our
leadership in progressively eliminating malaria.
“Australia has committed $210 million dollars to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis
and Malaria and we are working with Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to eliminate malaria. These
two countries have amongst the highest incidence of malaria outside of Africa. Australia also
supports malaria programs in Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.”
Representatives from countries that have embarked on malaria elimination, health and policy
specialists, donors and non-government organisations will attend the three-day meeting.
According to the latest World Malaria Report, 250 million people suffered from malaria in 2006,
and nearly 1 million people died as a result of the disease. Outside of Africa, about 62 per cent of
malaria cases are believed to occur in the Asia-Pacific region.
“This new network will help countries work together to develop and implement strategies to fight
this deadly disease and will support the Global Malaria Action Plan.”
The Plan aims to prevent more than 4 million deaths due to malaria by 2015 by various control
measures including insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor spraying and improving the quality
of, and access to, malaria drugs.
“Malaria is a formidable opponent and elimination will take a long term commitment. The Asia
Pacific Malaria Elimination Network will play an important role in this difficult task,” Mr
McMullan said.
Contacts: Sabina Curatolo (Mr McMullan's Office) 0400 318 205
Elizabeth James (AusAID Communications) 0407 280 188
NEWS 
