Stop to cash hits group

THE Queensland Government has cut funding to the organisation responsible for stopping the spread of HIV across the Far North.

The HIV Foundation Queensland has received about $2.4 million a year since 2013. That money will not be available after June 30, with Health Minister Cameron Dick deciding cost savings would flow from the Health Department taking over the foundation’s job.

Foundation chairman Dr

Darren Russell said the foundation had been responsible for implementing and overseeing the state’s HIV strategy over the past four years.

He said his organisation’s future was unclear but the board was “looking at its options”.

“Clearly, we won’t be in a position to do the work we do now after June 30, 2017,” he said. “It’s disappointing given the great success that has occurred over the last few years.

“But we recognise that gov- ernments have the right to fund and de-fund organisations regardless of runs on the board.”

Mr Dick said the foundation’s funding cut was necessary to save money and make HIV prevention more efficient.

“The foundation does not directly deliver any services but contracts service delivery out to external organisations, adding extra costs to a function already performed by the department,” Mr Dick said.