
Join ‘Not Guilty: Living with HIV and the law’, NAPWHA’s breakfast panel supported by Gilead Sciences, an associated event of the 2019 Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference held in Perth, 6.30am – 8.30am on Thursday 19 September 2019. This breakfast discussion provides an opportunity for multi-disciplinary delegates to hear and gain insight and current information from leaders in the field working in the field of HIV criminalisation in Australia and the region. Evidence shows criminalisation does not reduce HIV transmission, and the resulting stigma and discrimination build higher barriers to effective health promotion. Current laws in certain Australian jurisdictions and in the region counteract the promotion of effective prevention and shared responsibility, and the uptake of HIV testing and treatment, and therefore undermine effective public health. In joining the breakfast panel, attendees can:
- Gain an understanding, from people who can influence the system, of the problematic nature of HIV criminalisation, in particular the negative impact on health outcomes for HIV positive people
- Understand what the different approaches to HIV transmission reduction are in Policing and Justice and in Health and how these two are at odds with each other.
- Gain an understanding of the reasons behind these differences
- Be able to identify how the law plays into stigma and what the impact of this on people living with HIV (PLHIV)

Pictured L-R: Paul Kidd, Robert Mitchell (NAPWHA Board Director), Sally Cameron, Aaron Cogle, Edwin J Bernard, as part of the panel, also including Lisa Bastian and Jules Kim on issues concerning HIV decriminalisation.
Hear from the panel of experts:
- Lisa Bastian (Manager, Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Program, WA Department of Health)
- Edwin J Bernard (Global Co-Ordinator, HIV Justice Network) | See Edwin J Bernard’s Powerpoint Presentation
- Sally Cameron (Senior Policy Analyst, NAPWHA and HIV Justice Network) | See Sally Cameron’s Powerpoint Presentation
- Aaron Cogle (Executive Director, NAPWHA)
- Jules Kim (CEO, Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association)
- Paul Kidd (Lawyer, NAPWHA and Fitzroy Legal Service) | See Paul Kidd’s Powerpoint Presentation
Registration to this free event is essential. A complimentary buffet breakfast will be provided. Capacity is limited to 80 people. PLHIV will be prioritised places to this event at the discretion of NAPWHA. To register your place at this session by email: conference@ashm.org.au
Other HIVAUS19 Conference-related highlights
- Edwin J Bernard presents More than science: Ensuring we leave no-one behind as we strive to end the epidemic on Tuesday 17 September (8:30am – 10:30am) in the opening plenary
- Edwin J Bernard presents The impact of HIV transmission laws on stigma and discrimination: Duties and obligations of healthcare providers; global and regional perspectives on Tuesday 17 September (4:00pm – 5:30pm) as part of the ASHM International: Sigma and discrimination satellite session
- Aaron Cogle presents Best Laid Plans: Community concerns about the use of HIV molecular testing on Tuesday 17 September (11:15am – 12:45pm) symposium
- Sally Cameron presents Spit Happens: Results of NAPWHA’s national audit of spitting laws on Wednesday 18 September (4:00pm – 5:30pm) proffered papers