Hepatitis Australia CEO Carrie Fowlie steps down, leaving a strong legacy for a hepatitis-free future by 2030

Hepatitis Australia, the peak body leading the national community response to viral hepatitis, announces the departure of its highly respected Chief Executive Officer, Carrie Fowlie following an extraordinarily impactful tenure.  

"As I step down as CEO, I am immensely proud of the collective effort to reshape the national response to centre people rather than diseases. The new national hepatitis strategies place Australia in an excellent position to achieve elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, and the significance of adopting an equity threshold into national policy cannot be understated.” 

“There are so many collective achievements, but I am most proud of the increased visibility of people and communities affected by viral hepatitis, and how profoundly impactful their voices have been at Parliament House. The multi-partisan support for people and communities affected by viral hepatitis has never been stronger. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the response for their extraordinary efforts that are critical but often unseen. I can’t wait for Australia to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030!” said Carrie Fowlie, outgoing CEO of Hepatitis Australia. 

The new National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023 – 2030 and the new National Hepatitis C Strategy 2023 – 2030 are world leading, the last strategies before the 2030 elimination deadline and are currently undergoing final approvals by Australian governments before being publicly released in 2024. 

Frank Carlus, a person who has been cured of hepatitis C and Hepatitis Australia’s Acting President spoke to Hepatitis Australia’s strong position to continue as leaders in the national response.  

“Hepatitis Australia and the national response have never been stronger. Over the past four years through a deep commitment to partnership, centring communities and equity, the national response has achieved significant outcomes.  

We thank everyone for their contributions including our outgoing CEO Carrie Fowlie for her dedication to communities and her stewardship of our mission. She has left the national response and the organisation in a very strong position to achieve elimination by 2030,” said Frank Carlus.  

Rebecca Johnson OAM, a proud First Nation and Australian South Sea Islander woman, connected to the Taribelang Bunda and Gooreng Gooreng people of Bundaberg and a person living with hepatitis B reflected on the increased strength of community leadership and the critical outcomes being achieved by centring community. 

“A national hepatitis response underpinned by equity, social justice and human rights means people and communities who are affected drive the response. We have already seen incredible outcomes where communities have been resourced to lead and deliver. The national response, with the support and leadership of Hepatitis Australia, centres affected communities and community-led initiatives as critical to achieving our 2030 elimination goals. This must be paired with resourcing to communities so that we can get to 2030 and leave no one behind,” said Rebecca Johnson OAM. 

Maria Scarlett, a person who has been cured of hepatitis C and Hepatitis Australia Board Director commended Carrie Fowlie's outstanding contribution and leadership during her tenure. 

"Carrie Fowlie has led Hepatitis Australia to achieve incredible success over the last four years. Her dedication, strategic vision, and tireless commitment to communities have propelled us to new heights. We thank Carrie for her extraordinary service and wish her all the best in her future endeavours," said Maria Scarlett. 

The Hepatitis Australia Board has commenced the recruitment process for the next CEO.  

Hepatitis Australia remains steadfast in its dedication to the community and its mission. To learn more about Hepatitis Australia and its achievements, you are invited to read the most recent Annual Report 2022 – 2023 which includes reporting against the Strategic Plan and outcomes from the Members and Stakeholders Survey; and Hepatitis Australia’s Federal Pre-Budget Submission 2024 - 2025.