JAFA worked hard throughout 2021 advocating to bring about this much-needed nation-wide inquiry and was delighted when the Inquiry was announced on December 3, 2021. See JAFA Media Release (here)

The Inquiry is being conducted by the Federal Government House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health Aged Care and Sport. The Committee is led by its chairman, Mr Trent Zimmerman MP and deputy chair, Dr Mike Freelander. The scope of the Inquiry includes prevalence, physical, social, education and economic outcomes, workforce, and access to services and treatments.

The Inquiry is in progress in early 2021. One hundred and nineteen submissions have been lodged by affected families, individuals and organisations and public hearings commenced on February 17, 2022. Details of the Inquiry and submissions can be found at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Health_Aged_Care_and_Sport/rheumaticdiseases