Published: 10 March 2026
In the article, Euan Kielly reports on a parliamentary hearing where advocates, clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience called for stronger action on ME/CFS and long COVID in Australia.
The piece highlights slow progress on the 2024 inquiry recommendations, including calls for specialist centres in each state, while speakers warned that long COVID is an escalating health crisis with major social, economic and human impacts. Kielly also draws attention to patient Henry Barker’s experience of loneliness and misunderstanding, alongside concerns from Dr Emma Tippett and attending MPs about limited services, inadequate Medicare support and the urgent need for reform.