Definition of Charity Briefing Paper
This briefing paper outlines the government’s consultation relating to the definition of charity, identifying key issues for the HIV sector.
Published: 29/11/2011PDF File - 476.2 KBDiscussion and Briefing Papers
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E-Health Update September 2011
This latest e-health briefing paper outlines some key issues arising out of the Concept of Operations released by Health Minister Roxon in September 2011.
Published: 30/09/2011PDF File - 131.7 KB
Prosecution of Michael Neal: Appeal Decision
An overview of the prosecution of Michael Neal for knowlingly infecting people with HIV, and analysis of the outcomes of his appeal.
Published: 25/08/2011PDF File - 465.5 KB
Position paper: Call for reform of migration policies
AFAO’s policy position regarding the pressing need for reform of migration policies affecting HIV-positive refugees.
Published: 02/06/2011PDF File - 184.8 KB
Migration Law and HIV: The case for reform of Australian migration law and policy
This discussion paper outlines Australia’s migration policies as they affect people living with HIV and makes recommendations for policy reform.
Published: 02/05/2011PDF File - 147.3 KB
Migration law and HIV: Executive Summary
Our discussion paper, Migration Law and HIV: The case for reform of Australian migration law and policy outlines Australia’s migration policies as they affect people living with HIV and makes recommendations for policy reform. This document is the Executive Summary of the discussion paper.
Published: 02/05/2011PDF File - 103.4 KB
Briefing paper: Disability Care and Support Inquiry
AFAO Briefing on the Productivity Commission's 2011 draft Disability Care and Support inquiry report. The Report describes the current disability support system as underfunded, unfair, fragmented, and inefficient ‐ giving people with a disability little choice and no certainty that they will get the support they need.
Published: 05/04/2011PDF File - 162.1 KB
Options for Policy Reform - a law reform advocacy kit
This resource is divided into two parts: a discussion paper outlining the operation and effect of Australian public helath law, criminal law and civil law in relation to HIV-related prosecutions; and an advocacy kit.
Published: 28/02/2011PDF File - 994.2 KB
HIV, Privacy and E-health
This Briefing Paper explores some of the benefits that people living with HIV stand to gain from the new e-health proposals, as well as areas for further attention
Published: 09/02/2011PDF File - 213.5 KB
Results of iPrEX Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Trial
Briefing on the results of a large clinical trial of daily oral dosing of Truvada to prevent acquisition of HIV The results demonstrate that Truvada is effective in reducing sexual acquisition of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM).
Published: 06/12/2010PDF File - 254.2 KB
Rapid HIV Testing
Rapid HIV tests are not licensed for use as a screening tests at the point of care in Australia. AFAO recently completed a comprehensive policy review in relation to the possible place of rapid HIV testing in Australia. This paper outlines the key findings and recommendations of that review and presents some of the key data considered in the course of the review. Published August 2010
Published: 15/10/2010PDF File - 493.1 KB
Trick or Treat: Antiretroviral Therapy as HIV Prevention
The AFAO-NAPWA Education Team invited a group of authors from the Australian HIV sector to consider the issue of ARV therapy as prevention with a particular focus on recent debates and their application to the Australian context, as well as wider implications. Each of these authors makes an important contribution to this question.
Published: 28/06/2010PDF File - 1.9 MB
Preventative Health Strategy Briefing
In May 2010, the Australian Government released Taking Preventative Action: The Healthiest Country by 2020 outlining the Governments’ policy and funding commitments to preventative health initiatives. This Briefing Paper provides an overview of the rationale informing the review process, the process itself, key reports to date, and the potential impact on HIV, STI and LGBT health promotion, policy and practice.
Published: 20/05/2010PDF File - 76.5 KB
Federal Budget 2010-2011
This paper outlines announcements from the Federal Budget that may have implicatiosn for people living with HIV and the HIV response.
Published: 14/05/2010PDF File - 55.1 KB
Proposed Health and Hospitals Network
AFAO's briefing paper about the Government's proposal to establish The National Health and Hospitals Network. The Government claims that the planned structural reform of Australia’s health system will constitute “the most significant reform to our nation’s health system since the introduction of Medicare”.
Published: 20/04/2010PDF File - 86.2 KB
National Compact and the Report of the Productivity Commission
Comments on the federal government's announcement in April 2008 of its intention to develop a ‘national compact’ with the non-profit sector in April 2008. AFAO made submissions and participated in consultations to represent the interests of its members as part of the consultation process.
Published: 13/04/2010PDF File - 35.7 KB
Male Circumcision & HIV
Briefing on the efficacy of circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy and its relevance to the Australian epidemic. ARCHIVED. Some information may be out of date.
Published: 02/10/2009PDF File - 113.5 KB
AFAO Briefing Paper
The results of a large clinical trial of an investigational HIV vaccine regimen, known as “RV144”, were released on 25 September 2009.The results of the study indicate that the trailed vaccine is safe and modestly effective in reducing the risk of acquiring HIV. This is the first human study to show to show a significant reduction in the risk of acquiring HIV in a vaccine candidate trial.
Published: 26/09/2009PDF File - 364.9 KB
National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy
The National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy (the Strategy) was released by the Government on 14 September 2009. The purpose of this briefing paper is to provide AFAO members with an overview of the Strategy.
Published: 24/09/2009PDF File - 354.5 KB
Australia: The Healthiest Country by 2020 National Preventative Health Strategy
In September 2009 the Commonwealth Government released a series of strategies as part of its health reform agenda. The strategies were developed after consultation with state/territory health departments, community organisations, health sector professionals and consumers. AFAO has prepared briefing papers to provide an overview of each strategy.
Published: 24/09/2009PDF File - 361.7 KB
National Primary Health Care Strategy Briefing Paper
The draft National Primary Health Care Strategy, Building a 21st Century Primary Health Care System , was released on 31 August 2009.The Strategy was developed by the Department of Health and Ageing, with the assistance of an External Reference group of primary health care experts. This Briefing paper provides an overview of the draft Strategy.
Published: 24/09/2009PDF File - 365.2 KB
HALC Briefing Paper on the 2009 Migration Inquiry
Background paper on the operation of Australia's migration health requirement in respect of HIV, prepared by the NSW HIV/AIDS Legal Centre
Published: 18/09/2009PDF File - 97.7 KB
'A Healthier Future for all Australians': Report of the National Health & Hospitals Reform Commission
The final report of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission was released on 27 July 2009. The report has been widely anticipated and is expected to have a major influence on the health policy directions of the Rudd Government. This AFAO Briefing paper outlines and comments on the contents of the Report.
Published: 28/07/2009PDF File - 51.3 KB
AFAO Health Promotion Evaluation Audit and Analysis
An evaluation of the first phase of a two phase project run by AFAO and NAPWA that aims to provide training and capacity development initiatives for AFAO/NAPWA member organisations. Compiled by Rob Wilkins and Norman Booker.
Published: 30/06/2009PDF File - 100.6 KB
Responses to Syphilis Outbreaks Among Gay & Other Men who have Sex with Men: Case Studies from the United Kingdom & the United States
This paper presents summaries of responses to Syphilis outbreaks among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) in seven cities in the United Kingdom and the United States. By Dean Murphy and Martin Holt.
Published: 14/05/2009PDF File - 128.8 KB
Criminal Prosecution of HIV transmission: the policy agenda
Criminal prosecutions involving HIV transmission are increasing around the world. Australia has also seen an increase in the number of prosecutions in recent years but to date this issue has received relatively little attention at a national level. The purpose of this discussion paper is to provide information about these prosecutions and potential issues and options for policy makers. Abigail Groves and Sally Cameron
Published: 06/05/2009PDF File - 2.4 MB
The Social Inclusion Agenda
A backgrounder to the social inclusion agenda which identifies issues for AFAO members. Julia Gillard announced Labor’s intention to develop a ‘Social Inclusion Agenda’ in November 2007 and this commitment was re-affirmed at the ACOSS conference in Melbourne in April 2008.
Published: 02/04/2009PDF File - 97.6 KB
A National Sexual & Reproductive Health Strategy?
The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), Sexual Health & Family Planning Australia (SHaFPA) and the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance (ARHA), advocated to the Australian government in 2008 for the creation of a National Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy. They requested AFAO’s endorsement of their proposal. This paper briefly summarises their arguments for the creation of a Strategy as articulated in their background paper titled ‘Time for a National Sexual & Reproductive Health Strategy for Australia’.
Published: 02/04/2009PDF File - 101.8 KB
COAG and the future of HIV funding
Backgrounder on the Rudd government's proposed changes in the ways HIV, Hepatitis C and other public health funding is handled and considerations regarding effective strategies and advocacy initiatives for the HIV sector.
Published: 02/04/2009PDF File - 95.6 KB
Proposed National Compact with NGOs
This briefing paper is a backgrounder to the government’s intention to develop a national ‘compact’ with the non-government sector, announced by Ursula Stephens in April 2008. It includes links to further information.
Published: 02/04/2009PDF File - 97.5 KB
'Rolling the PHOFAS into the AHCAs': COAG reforms to Specific Purpose Payments (‘SPPs’)
AFAo comments on the Rudd government proposals regarding public health funding.
Published: 02/04/2009PDF File - 106.5 KB
HIV/AIDS & Collaborative Social Research: A Discussion Paper
GW Dowsett & MD Davis describe social research methods of co-research (action research and collaborative research), identifying key elements, canvassing their applicability to HIV/AIDS and offering ideas about the future contribution of co-research to HIV/AIDS. AFAO Monograph Series: No.1. Published June 1998.
Published: 04/03/2009PDF File - 151.9 KB
ANET's Gay Men's Relationships Survey: Qualitative Analysis (Dr J Ellard)
This paper reports on the main findings of the qualitative component of an online survey of gay men’s relationships conducted by the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO). By Dr Jeanne Ellard.
Published: 14/02/2009PDF File - 71.1 KB
ANET's Gay Men's Relationships Survey: Qualitative Analysis (Dr I Zablotska)
This paper reports on the main findings of the qualitative component of an online survey of gay men’s relationships conducted by the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO). By Dr I Zablotska.
Published: 14/02/2009PDF File - 170.0 KB
HIV Education and Health Promotion Responses to the Swiss Statement
A presentation by Phillip Keen at the ASHM conference, September 2008.
Published: 15/10/2008PDF File - 477.2 KB
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
This AFAO Briefing paper gives an overview of the purpose of the UN Convention and the background to Australia's decision to submit an interpretative declaration in relation to the immigration health requirement.
Published: 22/08/2008PDF File - 106.0 KB
A social scientist's reflections on HIV prevention: sexual transmission
Susan Kippax's address to the AFAO HIV Educator's Conference, May 2008
Published: 01/05/2008PDF File - 73.8 KB
HIV Infections Among Gay Men/MSM - 2006 and Beyond
This discussion paper was prepared in 2006 in response to data showing continued rises in HIV notifications among Australian gay men. The purpose of the paper was to generate discussion and critical thinking among the AFAO and NAPWA membership about what factors may be driving the rises and what a proper response to these may entail.
Published: 26/03/2008PDF File - 61.3 KB
National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission
On 25 February 2008, Federal Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission. AFAO, member organisations and other public health sector organisations need to be aware of the scope and process of the Commission in order to effectively advocate for an improved HIV response and better focus on issues involving public health.
Published: 28/02/2008PDF File - 98.3 KB
Hepatitis B
Currently, between 90,000 and 160,000 people in Australia are chronically infected with The Hepatitis B virus (HBV). This paper provides a background into the nature and epidemiology of Hepatitis B to assist in further discussion on a Hepatitis B Strategy.
Published: 21/01/2008PDF File - 112.9 KB
Gay Men and Blood Donations - Discrimination or Responsible Practice?
This paper sets our why AFAO and other AIDS organisations supported the Australian Red Cross Blood Service 12 month deferral period for blood donations from men who have had sex with men and other groups at higher risk of HIV transmission. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 05/09/2007PDF File - 11.3 KB
Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Complaint Against the Australian Red Cross Blood Service
In July 2006 the Office of the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner decided to refer a complaint of discrimination to the Tribunal. This Briefing paper contains a brief history of the complaint and outlines what will occur at the Tribunal Process as well a summary of AFAO’s response to current developments in the case. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 05/09/2007PDF File - 23.3 KB
Plasma Fractionation Review
In 2006 the Department of Health and Ageing conducted a review of Australia’s plasma fractionation services. This briefing paper provides an overview of Australia’s fractionation arrangements and the purpose of the review, and outline AFAO’s involvement to date. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 05/09/2007PDF File - 22.7 KB
Male Circumcision has no Role in the Australian HIV Prevention
ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 31/07/2007PDF File - 218.2 KB
Delta 32 Briefing Paper
This briefing paper was developed in response to advertising in 2006 of a service, which at the time, offered testing for a genetic characteristic which may confer some level of genetic resistance to certain strains of HIV infection. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 12/06/2007PDF File - 245.3 KB
HIV and Hep C in Prisons
People in custodial settings are identified as a priority population in both the National Hepatitis C Strategy and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. This briefing paper provides information about HIV and hepatitis C in Australian prisons, as well as current research and policy issues relating to prisons. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 08/05/2007PDF File - 148.5 KB
The Issue of 'Responsibility' in HIV Education Materials Targeting Gay Men
This discussion paper looks at HIV education materials since the early 1990s to assess assumptions are made about 'responsibility'. That is, what do they assume about the agency (or the power to act) of gay men to prevent HIV transmission? By Dean Murphy & Jeanne Ellard. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 05/02/2007PDF File - 300.6 KB
Gay Men's Relationship Agreements
This paper sets out to describe the main findings from published research on gay men's relationship agreements, as well as to comment on the approaches taken, and to identify some of the obvious gaps in the literature. By Dean Murphy. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 05/02/2007PDF File - 44.5 KB
HIV 'Prevention' in the United States: Implications for the Australian Response
In 2005 HIV prevention efforts in the United States were dramatically different to how we might have remembered community-based responses to HIV in the mid-eighties. This paper addresses how in the United States the principles of community empowerment and self determination are being increasingly eroded. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 06/12/2006PDF File - 50.7 KB
Discrimination on Basis of HIV
This briefing paper provides a comparative snapshot of State and Territory laws relating to HIV discrimination. It includes a summary table of the relevant laws. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 29/06/2006PDF File - 36.8 KB
Review of Public Health Funding for HIV/AIDS under the Department of Health & Ageing’s National Public Health Program
This Briefing Paper sets out the key features and aspects of the 2006 independent Review those parts of DoHA's HIV Program which were funded from the ‘National Public Health Program’. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 08/03/2006PDF File - 37.4 KB
Bill and Ben Go Shopping
his paper aimed to initiate discussion about the educational implications of rapid HIV testing. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 21/02/2005PDF File - 27.0 KB
STIs Amongst Gay Men: Rethinking the Gay 'Community' Role
How has the HIV sector responded to the challenge of the return of STIs in gay men? We need to consider how the debates over the national structures have been an impediment to us engaging with STIs in a strategic and comprehensive way. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 21/02/2005PDF File - 72.6 KB
Rapid Testing for HIV
The scope of this paper is restricted to the introduction of rapid HIV testing at the point of medical care. Its purpose is to briefly document some of the significant reasons to seriously consider an expanded use of rapid HIV testing in medical settings and to identify some of the issues that would need to be addressed should broader rapid HIV testing be implemented. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 21/02/2005PDF File - 40.4 KB
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA): A Complex Set of Interactions
This is an initial discussion document attempting to identify the way forward in addressing the sexual health needs of PLWHA and the broader implications of the return of STIs amongst PLWHA. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 21/02/2005PDF File - 60.3 KB
HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
This paper provides some background information on the candidate drug most likely to be used (tenofovir). ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 11/10/2004PDF File - 53.8 KB
Superinfection with HIV
This paper examines the evidence on superinfection and poses questions about the sort of advice we should be offering in relation to sex between people with HIV. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 05/07/2004PDF File - 42.3 KB
Psychosocial Issues
Part 3 of 3 discussion documents on positive education that scan current education issues for people with HIV in Australia as at 2002. The documents contributed to the development of AFAO's education strategic plan. Part 3 looks at treatment education issues. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 17/09/2003PDF File - 53.2 KB
Treatment Education Issues
Part 2 of 3 discussion documents on positive education that scan current education issues for people with HIV in Australia as at 2002. The documents contributed to the development of AFAO's education strategic plan. Part 2 examines a number of 'psycho social issues'. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 01/08/2002PDF File - 36.9 KB
HIV Antibody Testing
This paper reviews existing research on HIV testing among gay men, summarises existing guidelines on HIV testing; and outlines the reasons for, and meanings of, HIV testing among gay men. By Dean Murphy. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 01/08/2002PDF File - 41.7 KB
Defining the Constituency
Part 1 of 3 discussion documents on positive education that scan current education issues for people with HIV in Australia as at 2002. The documents contributed to the development of AFAO's education strategic plan. Part 1 describes and defines people with HIV in Australia. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 01/08/2002PDF File - 39.7 KB
Keeping it safe: maintaining safe sex practices in the light of treatment for HIV
David Murphy - The HIV epidemic in Australia is emerging as one that is quite distinct from almost anywhere else in the world. Some of the distinguishing features of the Australian epidemic are important in discussing the impact of antiviral therapy for HIV on sexual risk behaviour. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 25/04/2002PDF File - 22.9 KB
Risk reduction strategies for anal sex with casual partners
Dean Murphy - There is evidence that gay men are increasingly making individual risk assessments in relation to unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with casual partners. This discussion paper draws on recent qualitative and quantitative research on the issue of HIV risk assessment and management by gay men, and the factors that influence this. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 25/04/2002PDF File - 24.7 KB
Hold Everything! An overview of structured interruptions to HIV therapy
Kirsty Machon. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 25/04/2002PDF File - 24.2 KB
New HIV test to determine recent seroconversion
Briefing paper on the introduction of the “de-tuned ELISA” or STARHS HIV test. By Dean Murphy. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 25/04/2002PDF File - 14.7 KB
Gay men and travel: HIV risk behaviours and HIV treatment practices
Dean Murphy - In some Australian states, at least, a significant number of new infections among men who have sex with men are attributed to “contacts” outside that state – either elsewhere in Australia or overseas. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 25/04/2002PDF File - 28.6 KB
Professionally Gay: Gay HIV Educators
After 17 years of highly effective gay community intervention and response to the HIV epidemic in Australia, there is a large gay male workforce of educators whose job it is to work with gay and other homosexually active men in education programs. These men work as gay men, for gay men. By David McInnes. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 04/10/2001PDF File - 55.5 KB
A Guide to Best Practice: Occupational Health and Safety for the Australian Sex Industry
This document addresses the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, clarifies the role of bodies such as unions and health departments, and provides comprehensive information on issues from workers compensation to condom storage and handling, to security and safety from violence. A series of Fact Sheets summarise important issues and suggest policies for the workplace - Compiled by David Edler. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 18/06/2001PDF File - 124.6 KB
Unjust and Counterproductive: the Failure of Governments to Protect Sex Workers from Discrimination
This document is a lobbying tool based on national research conducted with sex workers regarding their experiences of discrimination. It provides arguments for broadening State and Territory anti-discrimination provisions to cover occupational discrimination, overviews the current legal situation across Australia, and identifies strategies for advocacy and activism - written by: Linda Banach (AFAO); Editor: Sue Metzenrath (Scarlet Alliance); ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 24/01/2001PDF File - 147.5 KB
Principles for Model Sex Industry Legislation
This document sets out the principles that should guide sex industry legislation. It includes background information and a series of ten fact sheets on topics such as decriminalisation, local planning laws and foreign sex workers. Produced by AFAO and Scarlet Alliance. Publication date: November 2000. Only available online. ARCHIVED - some information may be out of date
Published: 05/12/2000PDF File - 469.3 KBAll content contained within this website is copyright © AFAO, unless otherwise stated. Content may be reproduced for non-commercial, personal research or educational purposes free of charge, provided the following citation is made: "Reprinted from [name of publication], published by the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations". Contact AFAO regarding other uses of content.