HIV is still here and it is on the move.This is, of course, the theme of this Thursday's
World AIDS Day and it goes to the heart of this very important motion the member for
Griffith has put before the House, which Iam pleased to speak in support of.I was also very pleased to be in the chamber
for the contribution of my friend the member for Moreton, who spoke very effectively and
passionately about the challenges of over coming discrimination, which has been at the heart
of our successes as a country in over coming many of the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS.I was also here for the contribution by the
shadow minister for health, the member for Ballarat, who touched on the progress and
cautioned about complacency, which I think really goes to the heart of where we sit today
in Australia as well as looking more broadly to the challenges in the developing world
posed by the continuing prevalence of HIV.In this motion, there are a couple of elements
that deserve to be drawn out.First is the question of awareness raising,
noting that this is a very important week where we show our support for work that has
been done and for people.We acknowledge that 36 million people have
died around the world of complications relating to HIV and that there are a similar number
today, tens of millions, who are living with HIV.We show our solidarity for all of those people
and our support for them.We also acknowledge the extraordinary advances
that have taken place—advances in treatment but also advances in public health and wider
public policymaking.It is important that all of us in this debate
touch upon the extraordinary contribution of then health minister Neal Blewett and,
indeed, to acknowledge the bipartisanship that was shown at that time when this issue
first came into Australian political life and the critical importance of that bold and
entirely appropriate response.But, in acknowledging those actions and the
advantages in treatment, there is a challenge that comes with it, and that challenge really
comes to visibility because, of course, HIV still exists in Australia as it does in parts
of the developing world, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa.As well as HIV still existing, it is disappointing
and disturbing but we have to face up to the fact that so do some of the stigmas, which
the member for Moreton touched upon, going back to the eighties and nineties—some of
them still persist.That is why this motion in this place is so
important.That is why a bipartisan support of World
AIDS Day is so important.The member for Ballarat, again, said that
there could be no room for complacency when we debate these issues.She dwelt on a couple of really important
matters: firstly, that there are a very large number of Australia's who are unaware that
they have HIV today; and, secondly, that rates are flat lining and increasing when it comes
to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.This is not over as a public health problem,
and we need to continue with our efforts when it comes to our work in treatments and our
work in education, particularly around safe sex and some of the drug availability questions
and, as other speakers have touched upon,PrEP. These continue to be very important, if we
are to not only reach our goals of ending transmission worldwide by 2020 but also enable
all Australians presently living with HIV to live full lives and participate fully in
society.This motion importantly acknowledges the roles
played by people living with HIV and their friends.I think it is important to stress in this
place the courage shown by many people at times when it was difficult to do so.It was their courage that created the impetus
for effective political and public policy action that has been so successful in Australia.I also acknowledge, as previous speakers have
done, the work of researchers and some of the advocacy bodies.I join other speakers in expressing my concern
about the de funding of some advocacy organisations at a juncture when there is no time for complacency.I also join the call at the end of this resolution
that this House will support actions to reduces tigma, prevent new transmissions and work
towards a cure.As we come towards World AIDS Day, I show
my support with members of this House another places to enable all Australians with
HIV to live full lives.I join colleagues in making a statement not
only in solidarity for all those who have past and all those living with HIV but also
to take every action I can against further transmission.I commend the motion to the House.