NSW out of step with national strategies

Sadly, the proposed changes to the NSW Public Health Bill do not reflect this same degree of insight.

The HIV/AIDS Legal Centre (HALC) claims the bill undermines the success NSW has had in limiting new HIV infections and damages the human rights framework developed in the community.

In a statement released last month, HALC outlined how the proposed bill seriously weakens the enabling environment, which encourages people to get tested, to get treated and to engage with their healthcare providers.

The bill goes backwards in increasing stigma in relation to HIV by increasing penalties for non-disclosure and reducing the protections with respect to making invasive Public Health Orders, HALC claims. The disclosure law punishes being HIV positive, not risky behaviours.

Unbalanced provisions for Health Orders increase fear and uncertainty among HIV positive persons and the community at large.

HALC strongly believes several sections of the draft bill will have a detrimental effect on the successful and internationally recognised Australian response to the HIV epidemic.

Submissions regarding the bill closed in April. Contributors are hopeful their recommendations will be grasped by the NSW government to ensure that the successful Australian response to HIV is maintained and enhanced.