Earlier this week the Federal Health Minister, The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, accompanied by Victoria’s Minister for Health David Davis, launched the National HIV Strategy for 2014-2017.

Amongst the highlights were new arrangements for dispensing HIV medications and the potential for Australia to soon see “Self HIV Test Kits” on the shelves of your local chemist.

Rob Lake is the Executive Director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) and he joins Dean to discuss the much awaited National Strategy ahead of the 20th International AIDS Conference, AIDS 2014, ten days from now.

Speaking of AIDS 2014, VAC and Living Positive Victoria have been “Working Together” with the hope of getting Section 19A of the Crimes Act repealed.

The only law of its kind in Australia, Section 19A criminalises the transference of HIV which has ultimately resulted in reinforcing HIV stigma, discouraging people from getting tested and treated and it shuts down open conversations around HIV disclosure.

The President of Living Positive Victoria, Ian Muchamore and the Chair of the HIV Legal Working Group, Paul Kidd join us in the studio to explain why Section 19A needs to be abolished and how our legal system and health system should work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Victorians.  Find out more and download a copy of the Policy Brief here.

Left: Host Dean Beck, President of Living Positive Victoria Ian Muchamore, Chair of HIV Legal Working Group Paul Kidd

Transmissions is an exhibition of manuscripts, posters and other material from private collections and public archives. It will examine the nexus between government, policy makers, health professionals, and Melbourne’s gay community. Highlighting the role of design in the success and failure of the health promotion campaigns that have emerged from these partnerships, Transmissions will also articulate how design helped to brand political activism throughout the epidemic.

Co-curator Dr Russell Walsh joins Dean to explain more about the exhibition and in addition to the display, Melbourne University are running a series of FREE seminars – find out more at Transmission public program

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