"Globally, the pressure is on to make prevention of the spread of HIV the centre point of policy. Australia has lessons to teach. But we must learn not to drop our vigilance. Until a vaccine and a cure appear, education, condoms and protection from discrimination remain the best strategy. "

The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
Member of the UNDP Global Commission on HIV and the Law.

"Over the past three decades we have made significant gains in the fight against HIV in a relatively short period of time. Undeterred by its challenges, we have continued to tighten our control of HIV and diminish it from being a certain terminal illness into a chronically manageable one for a majority of Australians. It is important for us to take some time to celebrate the progress we have made and commemorate all those we have lost in fight, for this battle has cost us dearly. However, despite our achievements thus far, HIV is still here. Have we been able to render HIV curable? No, we have not. Can we afford to become complacent and loosen our grip on this insidious virus? No, we must not.

It is still important for everyone to talk with your family and friends about HIV.It is still important to talk about not contracting and not transmitting HIV.It is still important to talk about HIV testing and still important for everyone to know your HIV status so that HIV has nowhere to hide.It is still important to talk about all these things because through our conversations, we maintain our determination to fight HIV and reject stigma and discrimination. HIV is still here. The choice is yours. What will you choose to do?"

Queensland Positive People General Manager, Simon O’Connor

Contact

Trish McKennaWorld AIDS Day Coordinator

Queensland Health

Queensland Community Based Organisations involved in HIV/AIDS

National

International

Trish McKenna
World AIDS Day Coordinator