AIDS revisited

PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM

Every eight seconds: AIDS revisited
National Library of Australia, Canberra, 29-30 November 2000

Speakers' CVs, abstracts and papers

Opening
by Michael Moore MLA

Michael Moore's qualifications include a BA (Flinders University), DipEd (Adelaide University) and Master degree in Population Health (Australian National University). He has been an Independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly since 1989. In April 1998, he made political history when, after re-election as an Independent member in the Assembly, he was appointed Minister for Health and Community Care in a Liberal Government. He has maintained his Independent status and runs his Private Member's programme parallel to his portfolio responsibilities. Mr Moore believes that a political philosophy should be based much more on an individual's right to be free from domination rather than an individual right to non-interference. The legislative changes he has made over the last 11 years are based on the desire to build a healthier society and minimise harm to the community whilst allowing the individual to make informed choices. Mr Moore has chaired a number of select and standing committees. These committees have investigated the various issues affecting individuals and their ability to make informed choices about their health and well being. These have often been the committees which were far from politically palatable – like the Select Committee on HIV, Illegal Drugs and Prostitution, and the Select Committee on Drugs – but extremely important for building a healthy society.

Introduction
by Professor Malcolm Gillies

Since 1998 Malcolm Gillies has been President of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and also President of the National Academies Forum. A musician and linguist by training, he has authored numerous books in the field of early twentieth-century music history and analysis. He is currently Executive Dean responsible for humanities, social science and business faculties at Adelaide University.

Abstract

The National Academies Forum is a coordinating body of Australia's four learned academies. Its symposia investigate issues of public interest from the intellectual perspectives represented by the Academies. This Symposium will consider HIV/AIDS from the medical and social viewpoints; it will also consider important aspects of the disease from personal, human and moral dimensions. The tragedy of HIV/AIDS has been recently reinforced by media exposure of the extent of the problem in southern Africa and of the emerging crisis in Papua New Guinea. This introductory paper looks at ways in which Australians have responded to issues of HIV/AIDS since the early 1980s and how national strategy might best be directed in the twenty-first century.

Consensus or complacency: 'Post AIDS' but pre what?
by Chris Puplick

Chris Puplick is the Chair of the Australian National Council on AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases and has been involved in various aspects of HIV/AIDS policy work since 1985. He is also the Chair of the AIDS Trust of Australia. He migrated from the UK in 1962 and completed his education at Manly Boys' High School and the University of Sydney, where he gained an MA in politics and history. He served as a Senator for NSW from 1978 to 1981 and from 1984 to 1990. Between 1987 and 1990 he held several portfolios in the Shadow Cabinet, including Environment. In 1994 he became President of the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW and also concurrently holds office as the Privacy Commissioner. He has five published books and approximately 100 journal or other publications to his credit.

Abstract

It is important to understand that Australia's success in fighting AIDS and in developing effective public policy responses to its challenges owe a great deal to good luck and not just good management. A combination of particular people and peculiar circumstances led to our responses being of a nature and quality which were not observed in most similar developed countries where partisan politics featured prominently in the early days of AIDS policy debate. Since those early days the political climate in Australia has changed significantly and the partnership which keeps AIDS policy on track is finely balanced. Anything which looks like a 'failure' of policy – for example, increases in rates of new infections – challenges these delicately balanced forces and must be taken very seriously.

HIV and AIDS: A geographical overview
by Robin Gorna

Robin Gorna, MA (Hons) Oxon, is Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), and Chair of ANCHARD's HIV/AIDS Committee. She is the Co-Chair of the 6th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (to be held in Melbourne in 2001). She joined the UK's leading HIV/AIDS community organisation, the Terrence Higgins Trust, in 1986, and subsequently occupied a range of leadership roles in the UK and Europe in HIV health promotion, education, care and support. Ms Gorna was a founding Director of the European AIDS Treatment Group and worked at the European Commission coordinating AIDS & Drugs NGO activities. She sits on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research and on the Program Executive Committee of the Australian Vaccine Consortium. She is the author of Vamps, Virgins and Victims: How can Women Fight AIDS? (Cassell, UK, 1996).

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Australia is increasingly unique in global terms. The Australian domestic response is still justifiably regarded as exceptionally effective. We have reduced the numbers of new infections among gay men to very low levels and we have continued to prevent epidemics among injecting drug users and sex workers. The Australian situation is a stark contrast to that of other nations in our region. The Asia-Pacific Region is the site for a number of exploding epidemics that need swift action now. It is urgent that Australian expertise in areas like needle exchange, community development and vaccine trials be made available to our neighbours in the region. This is a humanitarian issue and a security issue. With increasing rates of mobility and migration throughout the region, and the rise in HIV and AIDS in nations like PNG, it is also a domestic public health concern. Australia's domestic response to HIV/AIDS deserves to be regarded as the best in the world. It is now the time for us to make sure that our international commitment, especially in the Asia-Pacific, is regarded equally highly.

The origin of AIDS: Can science afford to ignore it?
by Julian Cribb

Julian Cribb is one of Australia's leading science communicators. A newspaper journalist since 1969 he has received 32 awards for journalism, mainly in the scientific, medical and agricultural fields. He was editor of several newspapers, and science editor for the national daily The Australian. He was foundation president of the Australian Science Communicators, and is a member of numerous national and international scientific advisory bodies. His present position is director of science awareness for a leading scientific research organisation. His published work includes more than 7000 media articles and various non-fiction works including The White Death (1996), the first book exploring the origins of AIDS.

Abstract

There is a crisis of public faith in science and scientists. Recent research shows concern over scientific ethics, transparency and who benefits from R&D, exemplified in the GMO debate. Scientific discussion of one hypothesis, that AIDS may have started in an early polio vaccine, has been systematically suppressed for more than twelve years. Julian Cribb calls for an independent international multidisciplinary inquiry into the origin of AIDS, arguing it is essential to human health, to preventing new pandemics, and to safeguard public trust in science.

HIV/AIDS in Africa
by Nona Bennett

Nona Bennett (MA, ANU) is Director of the Africa and Middle East Section of the Austr