AFAO Parliamentary briefing on HIV a success

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations conducted a successful briefing yesterday for journalists in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery, Senators, Members of Parliament and political staffers.

Over 40 people attended the breakfast event, “HIV in Australia and the Region,” which was held in the Senate Alcove Room of Parliament House.

Senior journalists from The Australian, The Australian Financial Review, Crikey.com and Australian Associated Press were amongst the attendees as well as over a dozen Senators and Members of Parliament, including new Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler MP and Parliamentary Secretary Duncan Kerr MP.

WA Senator Louise Pratt, the Chair of the Parliamentary Liaison Group on HIV/AIDS hosted the event.

Attendees heard presentations from Professor Michael Kidd, the Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Blood Borne Viruses and STI’s, NAPWA President Mr Robert Mitchell, Ms Gabi Rosenstreich from the National LGBT Health Alliance and AFAO President Dr Graham Brown and Executive Director Mr Don Baxter.

At the event Senator Pratt also officially launched a new resource for journalists developed by AFAO, the “HIV Media Guide,” designed to facilitate best practice reporting on HIV issues.

Commenting after the briefing, AFAO President Dr Graham Brown said that the strong response from politicians, journalists and staffers was indicative of the high level of interest in HIV as an issue for Australia and South East Asia.

“We were tremendously encouraged to have such strong attendance for an ambitious event we had never attempted before.”

“It is a tribute to the attendees that so many busy people were prepared to take 90 minutes out during a hectic sitting week to get themselves up to date on the very latest information on HIV.”

“We will certainly consider making the Parliamentary briefing an annual event.”

Download the Media Guide (PDF 1 MB)