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Ron Wilson MP - Schools AIDS Day SpeechOn behalf of Robert Doyle, Shadow Minister for Health, can I say how pleased I am to be here at the launch of Schools AIDS Day. I am representing Robert Doyle because he is currently overseas investigating another of the great health issues facing our state and nation - that is, possible solutions to the problems associated with illicit drugs within our community. At the outset, let me say what a privilege it is to be at Melbourne High School. This is one of the great education institutions in Australia with an outstanding record of academic and sporting achievement. You have a proud history and it is a humbling experience to look at your list of former students. A number of my friends are old boys and indeed one of them, Dr. Alan Gregory, is currently writing the school's history. I know that you will all continue and add to the magnificent tradition of the school. In reflecting about my speech today, the first thing that came to mind was that when I was your age, and I hope you will agree with me that I am far from an old man, I had never heard of AIDS. Maybe some scientists and medicos were making the first investigations into this "new" disease but it was not known about within the general community. When the disease did come to public attention it was in a climate of fear, prejudice and a fair amount of ignorance. In the years since HIV/AIDS first emerged, much has changed - in scientific knowledge, in treatments and in attitudes. All three are welcome developments. Schools AIDS Day is a wonderful opportunity to improve AIDS education and awareness. The day will assist in increasing knowledge about AIDS and is a further step in the battle against prejudice and ignorance. Schools AIDS Day is an important part of creating a whole-school approach to young Australians living with HIV/AIDS and the message is that we must provide a school environment that is inclusive, supportive and non-discriminatory. Nearly 20,000 Australians have been diagnosed as HIV positive and tragically 6,000 have died. Illness and death worldwide is at epidemic proportions with estimates of 50 million people being infected. As a politician, it is my belief that governments must give more attention and devote more resources to people living with HIV/AIDS. On the broader issue of funding, I am very encouraged by some recent actions by the Federal Government which has seen a number of Australian medical research institutions secure a $27 million contract to develop a potentially preventative HIV vaccine. As Australians, we should be very proud of our involvement in this project as it has the potential to make a difference to the AIDS crisis. It is part of the Australian Government's commitment to a global response to the issue. However, we must not rest on our laurels - we all know about the worldwide AIDS crisis, and I mention specifically the crisis in Africa. To this end, all Australian governments must keep doing more to defeat this killer disease. As well as being heartened by initiatives of our current Federal Government, I was very pleased to read recently that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has just announced $US 50 million in new grants to help prevent the transmission of the AIDS virus. The pledge comes on top of a multi million dollar grant announced on Monday to help prevent and treat AIDS in Botswana, the country with the highest rate of infection in the world. Such developments, by governments, by our scientists, by charities and by the private sector tell me that there is hope and that the battle is worth fighting. Every death from HIV/AIDS is a tragedy. Parents, partners, brothers and sisters are all deeply affected as they watch the person with AIDS suffer immensely. However, many sufferers are also brave and show much courage. Those who go into remission often become outstanding role models for the rest of us. It is another reason why today's launch has special meaning. As we all know, the disease has affected too many Australians - indeed one ;person is one too many. This is particularly true when we think of HIV/AIDS and children. I know Mr. Haill, the President of the Fund, will want to spend a little time talking about why the launch is being held today. I won't steal his thunder, but let me just say that the reason will make a lot of sense to many of the students here today. In Australia, there were about 700 people diagnosed with HIV last year. A very small number of these were in the 13 to 19 age group and they are very much in our thoughts this morning. Reflecting upon children living with AIDS, I was shocked by a statistic shown to me recently - that the United Nations has reported that 6 young people are infected by the AIDS virus every minute and that last year alone, nearly 600,000 children under 15 and 2.5 million aged 15 - 24 were infected. My guess is that AIDS is a lonely disease. Even if you are receiving wonderful care you sometimes still have to battle against the negative attitudes of people who may only know you in passing, but think they know enough to pass destructive comments - comments that in many cases have little or no basis in fact. That is one of the reasons why we are launching Schools AIDS Day - it is another positive development in the way we think about and care for those with the disease. I wish to pay tribute to the work of the Australian AIDS Fund. In its 14 year history, the Fund - whether through its twice yearly Balnarring camp for families affected by HIV or AIDS or its San Michel and Rosehaven facilities - has established an enviable record in caring for those Australians suffering from this condition. It is a most welcome initiative of Catholic Social Services. Finally I want to finish with the thought that the central message today should be hope.
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