Our rights

More than two decades after the first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in Australia, people living with HIV still face unacceptable levels of discrimination and stigma.

NAPWA is working to end discrimination, protect the legal rights of positive people and foster an environment of co-operation and trust.

Unprotected sex: who's responsible?

Media frenzy over positive sex worker

Cover image for the March 2008 issue of Positive Living

January and February this year were marked by a furore of sensationalist media about Hector Scott, a resident of the ACT who first appeared in the ACT Magistrates court charged with providing a commercial sexual service while knowing he was infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and failing to register as a sex worker.

ACT Health ‘clumsy, alarmist’ in sex worker case

The ACT government’s handling of a case involving an alleged HIV-positive sex worker has been clumsy, alarmist and has failed to follow basic public health guidelines, the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) has said.

NAPWA Positive Women endorse new Terms of reference (TOR)

3 stonesNAPWA positve women have recently endorsed new Terms of reference for the advisory group.

US CDC routine testing recommendations not supported by state laws

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations in relation to routine HIV testing would contravene many US state laws requiring pre-test counselling and patient informed consent, according to an analysis published in October.

Criminalisation and the sexual transmission of HIV

A policy paper outlining NAPWA's position on criminal prosecution for sexual transmission of HIV.

IAS Conference opens with spotlight on politics

The 4th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention has opened in Sydney with calls for increased funding for HIV research, and a powerful rejection of the Australian Prime Minister's plans to tighten restrictions on immigration by people living with HIV/AIDS.

Accusations fly over Melbourne HIV arrest

The arrest of a Melbourne man accused of deliberately transmitting HIV has generated national headlines and prompted accusations of mishandling of the case by Victorian public health authorities.

Sex crime: two men jailed for transmitting HIV

 In separate cases, two men – one each in NSW and Queensland – have received lengthy jail sentences after being found guilty of crimes related to transmission of HIV to their partners.

Alarm over proposed changes to Vic public health law

HIV advocates in Victoria say they have strong concerns about proposals to reform the state’s Public Health Act contained in a government discussion paper.