Stoma in the Spotlight
Every Australian with a stoma deserves dignity, choice and support. Here you’ll find our latest media coverage, patient stories, and government advocacy efforts. Together, we’re raising awareness and fighting for fairness.
| Watch the Sky News interview with SIA Chair Matt Dalton.
Media | Advocacy
From national newspapers to healthcare journals, stoma care is finally getting the attention it deserves. Explore recent media coverage, expert commentary, and educational posters helping raise awareness across Australia.
Listen up
Radio Highlights: Australians are Talking.
Important readings and articles
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Australian Journal of Pharmacy Article
Invisible Stoma Patients
Angelo Pricolo explores how outdated funding is failing ostomates - and what pharmacists and policymakers can do to support change.
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Media Release - 17 January 2025
50,000 Australian stoma patients are being ignored, unheard, and invisible.
For as little as $2 extra per day, the Federal Government could vastly improve the lives of Australian patients.
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Media Release - Health Minister Failure
Butler couldn’t be bothered - Despite 1,000 Australians begging for help.
This government says they care about disability and inclusion - but when 50,000 people ask for help, they ghost us.
Government Correspondence
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Ensuring the SAS Meets the Needs of Australian Ostomates
From: Matt Dalton, Chair of SIA
To: Dr Monique Ryan, Member for Kooyong, Standing Committee on Health
Date: 23 September 2024Since the cessation of indexation in 2012, benchmark prices have stifled innovation.
This review must not be a cost-cutting exercise - it’s an opportunity to finally meet the needs of 50,000 ostomates.
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Meeting request to provide briefing update on the SAS report.
From: Matt Dalton, Chair of SIA
To: Senator Anne Ruston, Shadow Minister for Health
Date: 3 March 2025An increase to the benchmark prices, which have been frozen since 2012, would enable innovation and more advanced products to enter the Australian market.
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Response from Minister Mark Butler
From: The Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care
To: Matt Dalton, Chair of SIA
Date: 27 April 2025“I note that there has been no comprehensive review of all products, pricing and groups since 2010.”
“If the Government is returned at the election [3/5/25] and I return as Minister for Health and Aged Care, then I look forward to progressing the issue.”