Hello to all our supporters and readers of the Emerge Australia newsletter.
Federal budget week is always extremely busy for organisations like Emerge Australia, with numerous meetings before, during, and after the announcements.
From Emerge Australia’s perspective, this budget brought little joy. The main announcements relevant to our community were launched in March 2026, the release of the Chronic Diseases Framework. While strengthening Medicare and increasing bulk billing availability are welcome, there was no additional investment in chronic and complex diseases and no mention of HTA systemic reform—both disappointing omissions.
We understand how distressing the proposed NDIS changes are for many people in the ME/CFS community, particularly given the already significant barriers people with ME/CFS face in accessing the scheme.
Emerge Australia is currently reviewing the Bill and preparing a submission, in consultation with our Community Advisory Panel. We are grateful to them for assisting us in a timely manner, considering the short timeframe on what is a complex Bill. We will provide further information as it comes to hand.
As you already know – Emerge Australia’s government funding for our Support Services ends on 30 November and we are working with consortium partners to submit proposals under the various tiers of the Chronic Conditions Framework for service delivery post 1 December. This is a competitive grant round and we have no guarantee of success. Watch this space as we update you on our progress and work with you to share the need for our direct service delivery to continue.
Busy and challenging times ahead but with your ongoing support – we give ourselves every chance of success.
Thank you once again to all who supported our inaugural Pedal for Power event and all those who regularly donate and give to our end of financial year appeal.
This year more than ever before we reach out for your ongoing support of our work.
Enjoy the rest of this newsletter.
