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Information updates

New international consensus report on anaphylaxis

A new international consensus report on anaphylaxis has been released by the Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network (GA2LEN) and published open access online in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

The report was developed by an international panel of 46 leading medical experts from 14 countries (including ASCIA members from Australia) and patient advocacy organizations. The aim was to standardise definitions of anaphylaxis and teach people how to recognize and manage the condition.

Information in the report is consistent with ASCIA anaphylaxis resources which are available on the ASCIA website.

Key highlights of the report include:

  1. Unified Definition: The report introduces a new, widely agreed upon definition of anaphylaxis, emphasizing its potential to cause death and detailing the involved organ systems. This definition is designed to be easily understood by healthcare professionals and the general public to promote improved awareness of anaphylaxis.
  2. Educational Overview: An innovative educational tool for healthcare professionals from different medical fields, training backgrounds, and experience levels. The overview provides essential information on recognizing and managing anaphylaxis, including common causes, symptoms, timely treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine), and key concepts for managing life-threatening reactions.
  3. Clinical Support Tool: A new clinical support tool will help health professionals diagnose and treat anaphylaxis. This tool includes updated clinical criteria, indications, and dosing for intramuscular adrenaline and common findings from the different anaphylaxis organ systems. It is the first tool to include distinct infant findings to improve anaphylaxis management in young children.

 

This news item was issued on 9 April 2025 by Jill Smith, CEO of ASCIA, the peak professional body for clinical immunology and allergy in Australia and New Zealand. 

FASENRA (benralizumab) approved for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)

FASENRA® (benralizumab) has recently been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for a new indication in Australian patients, with relapsing or refractory eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

EGPA is a rare form of necrotising vasculitis. It is characterised by the presence of asthma, nasal polyps and elevated eosinophils in the blood, lungs and other tissues which can lead to an ongoing inflammatory response resulting in organ damage. There is a high unmet need for targeted therapy in EGPA with current treatment characterised by long term, high-dose oral corticosteroid use.

FASENRA® is a monoclonal antibody that targets eosinophils, enabling the immune system to remove them.

AstraZeneca (suppliers of FASENRA®) have opened a Benralizumab EGPA Part-Pay Access Program, which can be acccessed by medical specialists for their patients with relapsing or refractory eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).  

The updated FASENRA® PI and indication for EGPA is available athttps://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2018-PI-01520-1

For medical information enquiries email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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ALBEY venom immunotherapy available from April 2025

Stallergenes Greer will be starting to re-establish the supply of registered ALBEY® brand venom products (Honey Bee, Paper Wasp, Yellow Jacket) in Australia. These will replace the equivalent unregistered HYMENOPTERA® brand venom products (Honey Bee, Paper Wasp, Yellow Jacket) currently supplied under a S19A exemption. 
 
HYMENOPTERA® and ALBEY® venom products are all approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and reimbursed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme  (PBS) in Australia. Patient contributions will remain the same after the transition to ALBEY®.

Timing of supply
  • The first supply of ALBEY® products will occur between 2025 and 2026.
  • This transition from HYMENOPTERA® to ALBEY® venom products in Australia is managed under an arrangement with the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, with ALBEY® products to be supplied once stocks of HYMENOPTERA® products are depleted.
  • The exact timing of the “switch over” for each allergen will differ, according to when existing stocks of HYMENOPTERA® products are depleted.
  • Stallergenes Greer will communicate the exact timing of the switch to ALBEY® for each allergen, once confirmed (see the summary of expected supply dates below).
Equivalence of products
  • HYMENOPTERA® and ALBEY® venom products are identical in terms of the drug substance,materials, equipment and method of manufacture of the drug substance and the finished product, as well as the immediate container and closure.
  • Reflecting this equivalence, patients receiving maintenance therapy may be considered to continue maintenance therapy when switching from HYMENOPTERA® to ALBEY®*
Product presentation
 
Registered ALBEY® products will be re-supplied in exactly the same presentation as in the past, containing 1 x 550 microgram powder for injection vial with 1 x 9 ml albumin diluent vial (for the preparation of the maintenance dose) and also including 3 x 1.8 ml albumin diluent vials (for the preparation of initiation doses), which are supplied separately for HYMENOPTERA® products:
  1. ALBEY® BEE VENOM Honey Bee venom (550 microgram powder for injection vial with 4 vials of Albumin saline diluent; 1 x 9 ml + 3 x 1.8 ml)
  2. ALBEY® PAPER WASP VENOM Paper Wasp venom (550 microgram powder for injection vial with 4 vials of Albumin saline diluent; 1 x 9 ml + 3 x 1.8 ml)
  3. ALBEY® YELLOW JACKET VENOM Vespula spp venom (550 microgram powder for injection vial with 4 vials of Albumin Saline Diluent; 1 x 9 ml + 3 x 1.8 ml)
Orders / prescriptions
  • Continue to place orders / prescriptions for HYMENOPTERA® until further notice on the specific dates to start placing orders / prescriptions ALBEY® for each allergen.
  • Stallergenes will communicate the exact timing of the switch to ALBEY® for each allergen, once confirmed (see the summary of expected supply dates below).
  • Once ALBEY® products are in supply, customers with unprocessed orders for HYMENOPTERA® products will be contacted by DHL Customer Service to amend their purchase orders to switch the order to ALBEY® product codes and prices (only amended orders will be processed and dispatched.
Current expected supply dates:
  • ALBEY® YELLOW JACKET VENOM Vespula spp venom - April 2025
  • ALBEY® BEE VENOM Honey Bee venom - Q2 2025
  • ALBEY® PAPER WASP VENOM Paper Wasp venom - Q2 2026
More information is available on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/vit-availability
 

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ALUSTAL immunotherapy available from April 2025

From April 2025, registered subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) treatments (ALUSTAL® HDM and ALUSTAL® 5G) will be available in Australia. These treatments are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for children, adolescents and adults with respiratory allergies (Type I, Gell and Coombs classification) to house dust mite (HDM) and grass pollen, aged 5 years and over.

ALUSTAL® HDM and ALUSTAL® 5G will be supplied as in the past, following their listing on the ARTG in 2006, i.e. same presentation, allergen profile and recommended dosing (max. dose 8 IR):

  • Each vial of ALUSTAL® contains 5 ml of a suspension of native allergenic extracts absorbed on aluminum hydroxide gel
  • Initiation packs will contain 3 vials: 0.1 IR/ml, 1 IR/ml and 10 IR/ml
  • Maintenance packs will contain 1 vial: 10 IR/ml

Recent approvals by the TGA to qualify updated quality and manufacturing processes have enabled the re-supply of both products as registered products, providing ready access to Australian patients as locally warehoused stock (DHL). 

In contrast to unregistered products, the supply of ALUSTAL® will not require:

  • Named patient orders to overseas manufacturers or
  • Physician-specific authorisation, and 6 monthly reporting of use, under the TGA Authorised Prescriber Scheme.

ALUSTAL® HDM and ALUSTAL® 5G will complement Stallergenes Greer’s range of registered sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet treatments (ACTAIR® and ORALAIR®), which share a common manufacturing profile (identical source materials, allergen profiles and method of standardization) and are also approved for patients aged 5 years and over, providing options to address different patient needs:

  • ALUSTAL® HDM and ALUSTAL® 5G are the only TGA approved SCIT treatments available in Australia
  • ACTAIR® and ALUSTAL® HDM are the only HDM allergen immunotherapy treatments that are TGA approved for use in Australian children aged under 12 years

ALUSTAL® is prepared from freeze-dried allergen extracts adsorbed onto aluminium hydroxide gel.

ABOUT ALUSTAL®

ALUSTAL® is prepared from freeze-dried allergen extracts adsorbed onto aluminium hydroxide gel.

ALUSTAL® HDM is prepared from a 50% mixture of allergen extracts from European house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) & American house dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae).

ALUSTAL® 5G is prepared from a mixture of 5 grasses including ryegrass: Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum L.), Rye grass (Lolium perenne L.), Meadow grass (Poa pratensis L.) and Timothy (Phleum pratense L.)

Please contact Stallergenes Greer www.stallergenesgreer.com/au if you have any questions.

Information about AIT is available on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/allergen-availability

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ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy - March 2025 update

Since 2019 the Australasian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) has been working together with patient/carer organisations and other stakeholders to develop the ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy at a national level for both Australia and New Zealand (the Strategy).  

The aim of the Strategy is to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) including primary immune deficiencies (PIDs) and minimise the burden on individuals, carers, health services and the community. 

In 2022 the Strategy was launched (virtually) to coincide with the International Day of Immunology (29 April) and World PID Week.

In 2023 an in-person implementation meeting was held in April,  where several priorities were identified.

In 2024 the following two Strategy priorities were achieved: 

ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy sponsorship opportunities

In 2025 ASCIA is seeking financial support to assist with further implementation of the Strategy to achieve most of the following ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy Goals over the next 3-5 years:

  1. Enable early diagnosis of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) by newborn screening

  2. Enable early diagnosis of other PID/IEI disorders through recognition of early warning signs of PID/IEI disorders, appropriate testing and treatment.

  3. Improve access to expert genetic diagnosis by using genomic and immune testing for patients with suspected or recently diagnosed PID/IEI disorders, or people with a family history of PID/IEI.

  4. Ensure equitable access to specialist and multi-disciplinary care for patients with PID/IEI disorders, including those living in regional, rural and remote areas.

  5. Ensure equitable access to treatments, that are appropriately supported and funded for patients with PID/IEI disorders.

  6. Increase support for PID/IEI education and training for patients, carers and health professionals.

  7. Increase support for multi-disciplinary clinical and laboratory PID/IEI research and collaborations.

  8. Ensure that the priorities of Indigenous Australian and Maori populations are represented in PID/IEI diagnosis, care and research.

What are the priorities for the ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy?

As a result of the Strategy meeting in April 2023, a list of priorities was developed which are outlined below,

Priority 1) Clinical Care Standard which includes care by GPs and other health professionals. (Goals 2, 3, 4, 5, 8)

Action completed:

Priority 2) ASCIA Working Parties will develop genetic testing and newborn screening (NBS) information to facilitate clinical implementation. (Goals 1, 2, 3, 8)

ASCIA will further address issues for better access and funding of genetic testing and the implementation of the clinical aspects for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) newborn screening (NBS). Whilst SCID NBS laboratory testing is now available in all jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand, each region has differences which need to be considered in a consistent approach for SCID NBS and genetic testing.

Actions completed:

Further actions required:

  • ASCIA will provide a letter of support for an MSAC submission regarding genetic testing.
  • ASCIA will develop a new genetic testing guide for clinical immunology/allergy specialists.

Priority 3) Education Program for Transition from Paediatric to Adult Care and advocacy for resourcing of improved transition services based on the Clinical Care Standard (Goal 4, 6)

It has been recognised that there are many aspects of transitioning from paediatric to adult services that should be improved for complex patients with IEI and their families  Programs addressing education and support for patients, families and service providers and advocacy for funding of appropriate supportive multidisclinary resources utilising the ASCIA Clinical Care Standard will help address this.

Action completed:

  • The new ASCIA IEI Clinical Care Standard includes information about transitioning from paediatric to adult medical services. 

Further actions required:

  • Increased PID/IEI education and training resources developed for patients, carers and health professionals.

Priority 4) Advocacy, including discussions regarding Chronic Disease Strategy, patient/carer support organisations, health economics, barriers to access and Indigenous Australian/Maori involving clinicians and patients. (Goals 4, 5, 8). Advocacy will be central to many of our goals. The ASCIA Clinical Care Standard will be important, as will be collaborations with patient/carer support organisations and potential utilisation of the Chronic Disease Strategy.

Actions completed:

Priority 5) Research Initiatives, including an audit of access to testing/care and rejuvenation of ASCIA IEI Registry. (Goal 7)

An audit of access to testing and access to care was recommended, to better understand the inequities identified and the differences between access in public versus private heathcare systems.

Ways to rejuvenate the ASCIA IEI Registry are being considered, to optimise the entry of data, with recognition of the need for project officer support and the need to change from the existing waiver of consent to a formal consent process. An active ASCIA IEI Registry will allow documentation of numbers for advocacy and also allow expansion of research.

Actions completed:

  • Agreement by the ASCIA Board to develop a new ASCIA IEI Registry using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), a secure web application for building and managing online databases. 

Further actions required:

  • ASCIA will develop a governance structure and draft data fields for a new ASCIA IEI Registry.
  • ASCIA will survey members regarding access to care/testing.
Why was the ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy initiated?

The ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy for Australia and New Zealand was established to address the needs of patients and their families affected by immunodeficiency in a targeted collaborative way. The development of the Strategy was built on the experience from the successful implementation of the National Allergy Strategy.

The first ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy meeting was held on Friday 8 March 2019 and was attended by a wide range of stakeholders including clinicians, patient/carer organisations and researchers. Despite the disruptions of the COVID pandemic over the last three years, there has been significant progress in some of these areas, but there are still substantial issues that need to be addressed.

The ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy for Australia and New Zealand document was developed from 2019-2021 and launched in April 2022. The Strategy includes eight goals to address key issues, as listed below. 

For more information about the Strategy visit https://nationalimmunodeficiencystrategy.org.au/

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National Allergy Council projects allocated to ASCIA - March 2025 update

The National Allergy Council is a partnership between the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA), funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care to implement the National Allergy Strategy. As partners in the National Allergy Council, we work together to improve the lives of 5 million Australians with allergic conditions by:

  • Developing accessible, consistent and evidence-based resources
  • Improving awareness and knowledge through resources and support
  • Promoting resources, support and quality allergy healthcare services

We work with patients, carers, community, health professionals and the health system to make a positive impact on the management of allergic conditions.

ASCIA’s main role in the National Allergy Council s to improve education, training and resources as part of the following projects:

  • Schools/Childcare - for schools, children’s education/care services and the community.
  • Shared Care for Allergy – for health professionals
  • Drug (Medication) Allergy - for health professionals.

The following is a summary of main achievements, and projects yet to be completed.

National Allergy Council Schools/Childcare project - achievements for activities allocated to ASCIA in 2024-2025:

  • Development of a new ASCIA training website https://training.ascia.org.au/, updating of ASCIA's learning management system (LMS) and updating of course content to enhance the user experience, improve access and increase use of ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses for schools, children’s education/care and community.  
  • Development of a new ASCIA Anaphylaxis Training Refresher Video www.allergy.org.au/ascia-videos for schools, children's education/care and community, based on feedback from course participants and the content of ASCIA anaphylaxis refresher e-training courses. 
  • Increased promotion of ASCIA anaphylaxis online training for schools, children’s education/care and community, through the ASCIA website, e-newsletters, distribution of brochures and social media,  resulting in 110,216 course completions in 2024, an increase of 23% compared to 2023.
  • Evaluation reports www.allergy.org.au/ascia-reports#nacscec based on feedback surveys (completed by 43,945 users in 2023 and 5,254 users in 2022) from ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses for schools, children's education/care and community. 
  • Ongoing maintenance and support of ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses for schools, children's education/care with 2,119 help requests received and resolved in 2023 and 1,058 help requests received and resolved from January to June 2024.

The following activities are due for completion in 2025-2026:

  • Evaluation reports based on 110,216 feedback surveys from 2024 ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training course completions  for schools, children's education/care and community. 
  • Development of a scoping report for undergraduate education/training for people studying to work in schools and children's education/care. (Due March 2025).

National Allergy Council Shared Care for Allergy project - achievements for activities allocated to ASCIA in 2024-2025: 

  • ASCIA submitted a new application to the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) for a Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) item number for supervised oral food challenges (OFC) on 27 March 2025 (due date was 28 March 2025).
  • Progress reports received for 5 health professional education and training initiatives www.allergy.org.au/national-allergy-strategy selected for funding through an EOI process. 
  • Development of a new ASCIA training website https://traininghp.ascia.org.au/, updating of ASCIA's learning management system (LMS) and updating of anaphylaxis course content to enhance the user experience, improve access and increase use of ASCIA anaphylaxis and allergy e-training courses for health professionals. 
  • Accreditation of ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training for health professionals (2025 version) by the RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners), Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and PSA (Pharmaceutical Society of Australia).
  • Increased promotion of ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses for health professionals through the ASCIA website, e-newsletters, social media and medical events, resulting in 14,011  course completions in 2024, an increase of 150% compared to 2023.
  • Evaluation reports www.allergy.org.au/ascia-reports#scap based on feedback surveys (completed by 1,730 users in 2023 and 1,176 users in 2022) from ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses for health professionals. 
  • Increased promotion of ASCIA resources through the ASCIA website, e-newsletters and social media, with a reach of more than 12,000  followers/subscribers each month and more than 3 million website pageviews each year (~250,000 each month).
  • Increased promotion of ASCIA resources through participation in 12 medical events throughout Australia (including Healthed conferences and webcasts) with a total of more than 14,000 delegates www.allergy.org.au/ascia-reports#sca, to promote ASCIA education, training and clinical resources. 
  • Promotion of patient/carer organisations by updating of more than 100 ASCIA patient/carer educational resources www.allergy.org.au/patients including changes to improve readability. 
  • Development and promotion of ASCIA Quicklinks www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/quick-links to improved access to more than 400 ASCIA online education, training and clinical resources.
  • Application submitted for MBS food challenge item numberwww.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/ascia-application-for-mbs-item-for-supervised-oral-food-challenges
  • Initiating the development of an ASCIA referral toolkit www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-and-clinical-immunology-services to address issues relating to the process of referring patients to and from allergy services. 
  • Ongoing maintenance and support for ASCIA e-training courses for health professionals.

The following activities are due for completion in 2025:

  • Promotion of patient/carer organisations by updating of all ASCIA health professional resources. https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/ 
  • Evaluation reports based on 14,011  feedback surveys from 2024 ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training course completions for health professionals. 
  • Development of a scoping report for undergraduate education/training for people studying to work as health professionals. (Due March 2025).
  • Development of an ASCIA referral toolkit www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-and-clinical-immunology-services to address issues relating to the process of referring patients to and from allergy services. 
  • Updating of the ASCIA Food Allergy Course for Dietitians to include online webcasts and in-person case-based learning to be held during the ASCIA Annual Conference week. 

National Allergy Council Drug (Medication) Allergy project 

The following activities are due for completion in 2025:

  • Development of a new ASCIA drug (medication) allergy etraining course for health professionals.
  • Development of other ASCIA drug (medication) allergy resources, including penicillin antibiotic allergy delabeling guidelines and drug allergy terminology, working in collaboration with the National Allergy Council.
  • An application to MSAC for an MBS item number for drug challenges.

Visit the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website to learn how the National Allergy Council (a partnership between ASCIA and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia) collaborate with the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE).

The National Allergy Council works together with NACE to help improve allergy care and research in Australia. Allergic diseases are one of the country’s major public health challenges. The collaboration is supported by funding from the Australian Government.

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New ARISE allergic rhinitis (hay fever) trial

General practices and allergy clinics across Australia are invited to take part in a new clinical trial aiming to improve the lives of young people with hay fever, our country’s most common allergic disease.  Recruitment sites in every state and territory have partnered with the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE), hosted at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), to launch the ARISE Trial

The Allergic Rhinitis Improvement through  Strategic Education (ARISE) clinical trial is seeking 14 to 29 year olds with hay fever, with participants to follow a specifically designed education package alongside their daily nasal spray. The trial will explore whether they experience less symptoms and have better quality of life.

Register your interest here if you are interested in becoming a recruitment site. 

A new trial aims to reduce allergic rhinitis (hay fever) symptoms and improve the quality of life of people with hay fever, the country’s most common allergic disease for young Australians.

If successful, the trial will change the way hay fever is managed, reducing the burden on those living with the disease, their families and the healthcare system
A new trial is aiming to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life of young Australians with hay fever, the country’s most common allergic disease.

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Shingrix Vaccine to Prevent Shingles - Update

Shingrix®  is a varicella zoster virus recombinant vaccine that can provide protection from herpes zoster (shingles) and post-herpetic neuralgia (long-term nerve pain):

  • Advice for Health Care Professionals with regards to patient eligibility for the Shingles NIP can now be located at:

National Immunisation Program – Shingles vaccination – Program advice for health professionals | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

  • Additionally, due to the expansion of the Shingrix NIP as of September 2024, the Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH) has been updated with the full list of eligible people aged 18 years and over, who are considered at increased risk of herpes zoster due to an underlying condition and/or immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive treatments, The link to the AIH can be found at:

https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/resources/tables/table-risk-conditions-and-immunosuppressive-therapies-for-zoster-vaccination-and-eligibility-for-nip-funding

Funding of Shingrix from 1 November 2023 was announced by the hon Mark Butler (Minister for Health and Aged Care) on Sunday 8th October 2023.  The extended vaccine eligibility for 'high/medium risk' immunocompromised individuals iwill be considered at the November 2023 meeting of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), so an announcement about this will be made after the transition from Zostavax to Shingrix on 1 November 2023.

ASCIA made a submission in January 2023  to support the PBS listing of Shingrix.

For details refer page 22 - https://www.pbs.gov.au/info/industry/listing/elements/pbac-meetings/agenda/november-2023-pbac-meeting  

From 1 November 2023 funding of Shingrix will be available for:

  1. All Australians over 65 (and over 50 for First Nation Australians), which includes all immunocompromising conditions above those ages.
  1. Immunocompromised adults aged 18 years and over with the following medical conditions;  haemopoietic stem cell transplant, solid organ transplant, haematological malignancy and advanced or untreated HIV.

https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/shingles-vaccine-now-free-for-nearly-5-million-australians

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