Media Releases

The Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) is calling for medications to be exempted from any plans
to apply GST to overseas online purchases, amidst concerns this would mean an additional financial barrier
for people currently importing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) online to prevent HIV.
This comes in response to reports out of this week’s Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting
of an in-principle agreement between Australia’s state/territory leaders and the Prime Minister to charge
GST on overseas online purchases under $1000.
“Australians at risk of HIV are still waiting for PrEP to be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration,
making it much harder to access this key HIV-prevention strategy,” said Johann Ruth, Acting CEO of VAC.
“While they wait, some people are taking responsibility for their sexual health and wellbeing by importing
lower-cost medications for use as PrEP, under Australia’s personal importation scheme for medicines.
News out of this week’s COAG meeting of an in-principle agreement to charge GST on overseas online
purchases under $1000 raises some concerns for us about any increased financial burden on people at risk
of HIV who are importing PrEP.”
“This decision could have unintended health consequences if applied to medications, especially PrEP, and
could contribute to an increase in HIV notifications in Australia. We want to ensure that whatever new
arrangement regarding GST on imported goods comes out of these discussions, it will not result in further
barriers for people accessing a vital tool for preventing HIV. People most at risk in our community should
not have to bear an additional financial burden while we wait for TGA licensing and PrEP’s inclusion in the
pharmaceutical benefits scheme.”

The Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) has welcomed the call from the 8th International AIDS
Society Conference (IAS 2015) in Vancouver for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to be made available to
protect all people at high risk of acquiring HIV.
The ‘Vancouver Consensus‘ statement issued out of the conference currently taking place (19–22 July)
is the strongest call yet from the global HIV community for widespread access to PrEP. When taken as
prescribed, PrEP is a medication that significantly reduces a person’s risk of getting HIV.
“VAC is advocating for better access to PrEP in Australia for people at risk of HIV, including men who have
sex with men, so it’s good to see global leaders in the field supporting this key strategy in effective HIV
prevention,” said Greg Carter, President of VAC.
“PrEP still hasn’t been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia, so we hope
this acknowledgement of its importance by the world’s top HIV experts will help substantiate the case for
wider access to PrEP for everyone who needs it.
“The recognition of PrEP as part of an effective prevention response to HIV worldwide would be a fantastic
legacy of this conference,” said Johann Ruth, Acting CEO of VAC.
The Vancouver Consensus also calls for access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for all people living with
HIV upon diagnosis, drawing on recent results from the START study showing the benefits of immediate
treatment for people diagnosed with HIV.
Australian guidelines around the prescribing of antiretroviral drugs for PLHIV removed any restriction on
people commencing therapy in 2014. However, starting ARV treatment remains an individual choice based
on readiness and an individual’s ability to adhere to the treatment regimen.

Last week’s 65th Annual Australasian Reporting Awards saw the Victorian AIDS Council
(VAC) take home the Communication Award in the Not-for-Profit sector joining the ranks of award winners
including BHP Billiton, ABC, Sydney Opera House, and the ATO - to name a few.
“VAC saw an incredible amount of change in the 2013-2014 financial year including the introduction of
the PRONTO! rapid HIV testing service, the rebranding of the entire organisation, and a real change of
pace leading up to, and since, AIDS 2014,” said VAC CEO Simon Ruth. “Capturing all of this in an engaging
way through our Annual Report is no small feat and really speaks to the talent we have within our
communications team.”
Director, Health Promotion, Policy & Communications Colin Batrouney heads up this team and said, “We’re
very proud of the report as a showcase of the work that’s possible when you have community support. The
publication features pairs of volunteers from start to finish in a fun and accessible way that invites you to
get to know more about us as an organisation. It’s an honour to have this recognised nationally.”
The VAC Annual Report is released every year at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting in November.
A digital copy of this and previous VAC Annual Reports is available online at:
www.vac.org.au/VAC-annual-report

As one of the STRIDE projects announced today by beyondblue and The
Movember Foundation, Out of the Blue will see the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) partner with
ACON, the Centre for Social Research in Health (CSRH) at UNSW, creative agency Liquorice as
well as community partners GAMMA NSW and Living Positive Victoria to embark on a twoyear
project aimed at men living with HIV as well as same-sex attracted men in heterosexual
relationships to combat the stigma associated with mental health conditions.
The STRIDE (Stigma Reduction Interventions: Digital Environments) Project includes six
smaller projects going into digital environments to combat the stigma associated with men
seeking assistance for mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Out of the Blue
will aim to address those issues within two target groups that experience this stigma in
addition to the stigma experienced living with HIV and/or being same-sex attracted while in
a heterosexual relationship. The complexities of this project require a partnership that lead
agency, VAC, is excited to engage in.
“Historically, our community has made some of it’s most significant strides forward when
working together,” said VAC CEO Simon Ruth. “This interstate collaboration is an exciting
endeavour to create an innovative project that could improve our reach and efficacy when
delivering mental health support services.”
“Anxiety and depression are the two highest prevalence mental health disorders in the
general community. It is well established that that the LGBTI community experience much
higher rates of anxiety and depression when compared to the general population. When you
consider also the stigma and discrimination that has been, and still is, experienced by our
community, the value of this project becomes very clear,” said ACON Director, HIV & Sexual
Health Karen Price. “Importantly, the project will deliver information, advice and support to
build personal resilience and assist them to share experiences.”
Director of CSRH Director Professor John de Wit said, “Out of the Blue provides important
new services for men who are particularly vulnerable to stigma and CSRH is very pleased to
be part of this innovative program.”
“We will be contributing robust evaluation methods that will investigate the benefits of this
much-needed service,” added Professor Carla Treloar from CSRH.
“We are designing a digital environment where users feel completely protected, so that they
can talk freely about their issues. This is the perfect sanctuary for them. This will give users
an opportunity to connect with peers and experts they might otherwise never talk to in the
physical world. The platform will support a range of opt-in message notifications to cater
for each user’s preference and to ensure they have complete control over any contact,” said
Liquorice Director Scott Bonanno. “Customising the technology to ensure it’s sensitive to
our audience’s needs will give us the best chance of attracting users and building a positive
online community.”
Starting in July 2015, Out of the Blue will create two websites aimed at the respective
target groups including a combination of ways men can get support and information about
overcoming stigma and other barriers when seeking to improve their mental health and
wellbeing.

Out of the Blue is funded by beyondblue through donations from the Movember Foundation.

As part of National Volunteer Week, the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) Outreach team was
awarded one of the 2015 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards earlier this week. Presented by Minister for
Health Jill Hennessy, the awards recognise both longstanding volunteers and promising young volunteers
who have dedicated their time to improving the health and wellbeing of the Victorian community. Now
in their seventh year, the awards received nearly one hundred nominations from across 57 Victorian
organisations this year.
VAC Outreach volunteers work to improve the sexual health and wellbeing of gay and other same-sex
attracted men by providing a peer-based support service in sex-on-premises venues, clubs, and online
communities. Aimed at same-sex attracted men who may be at risk of or living with HIV as well as other
STIs, the diverse team of volunteers provide a visible presence in areas where risky sexual practices may
occur, to promote and encourage open and non-judgemental discussion. One of the primary aims of the
program is to promote safer-sex behaviours and reduce sexual risk taking, as well as providing a greater
understanding of managing individual sexual health and wellbeing.
“We’re incredibly proud to see our volunteers recognised for their contribution to the Victorian community,”
said VAC CEO Simon Ruth. “Outreach is unique volunteer experience that asks our volunteers to strike a
balance between being confident and well-informed but also approachable and supportive within what
many would consider to be socially confronting environments.”
“For over a decade now, our Outreach volunteers have been online and in sex-on-premises venues talking
to gay, bisexual, and trans guys about sexual health,” said VAC Health Educator and Outreach Coordinator
Tex Mckenzie. “But it’s not just sexual health, these volunteers often act as a community signpost
referring men to various services including rapid testing, access to PEP, counselling, and alcohol and other
drug support services. They’re an incredible resource.”
Among the other individuals and volunteer groups recognised were longstanding VAC supporter Julian
Conlon for his work at Peninsula Health as well as the Hep Connect Team at Hepatitis Victoria. VAC
congratulates all of this year’s volunteer awards recipients for their generous contribution to improving
and maintaining the health and wellbeing of all Victorians. To see a full list of award recipients, head to:
www.premier.vic.gov.au/celebrating-victorias-health-volunteers

From July 2015, leading South Australian sexual health agency SHine SA will partner with the
Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) to deliver a HIV and other STI prevention program in South Australia including health
promotion campaigns, education, clinical services, and support for people living with HIV.
The program is one of three announced by SA Health yesterday following a public tender process started in late
2014. The programs provide services aimed at South Australians living with or at risk of HIV. Planning is already
underway for the launch of the new program as the service is contracted for a three-year period with a one-year
extension option.
“The strength of the tender was in the cross-border partnership – the melding of strong clinical, education, and
workforce development services with exceptional campaign and health promotion experience brought by VAC,”
said SHine SA CEO Jill Davidson. “The resulting service is an enviable option for the provision of HIV services in SA
and demonstrates an innovative model nationally.”
“The combination of a lead sexual health service and the extensive expertise and reputation of VAC is a plus for
the target community of South Australia,” she added.
“This interstate collaboration is a great opportunity for both VAC and SHine SA to provide a much needed service
to the community in South Australia,” said VAC CEO Simon Ruth. “HIV doesn’t stop at the border. If we’re to have
any chance at seeing an end to HIV in Australia, it will take community partnerships like this one to reach our
goal.”
“VAC is a grassroots, community-based organisation with over 30 years of experience in the delivery of prevention
programs including peer education for both HIV positive and negative people in addition to outreach services,
counselling, and community engagement. Supported by more than 700 volunteers, we advocate for the rights of
people living with HIV including our recent success with advocating for the removal of section 19A of the Victorian
Crimes Act.” He went on to say, “When the AIDS Council of South Australia was active, VAC provided campaign
services that were implemented in SA over several years. Together with SHine SA, we are fully invested in once
again connecting with the South Australian community.”

Today’s release of the 2015-16 Victorian Budget includes news that PRONTO!, the rapid HIV
testing service offered by the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC), will be further funded over the next four years.
This is a welcome announcement with PRONTO!’s future previously unclear beyond August of this year.
PRONTO! was launched in August 2013 as a two-year trial aimed at delivering a peer-led rapid HIV testing
service targeting men who have sex with other men (MSM). PRONTO! began offering rapid syphilis testing
in 2014 and began holding outreach testing sessions in the lead up to AIDS 2014. PRONTO! has continued to
offer outreach testing sessions at venues around Melbourne as well as testing sessions at both Midsumma
Festival’s Carnival Day and ChillOut Festival in Daylesford.
“PRONTO! was the first free rapid testing site in Victoria, and with over 3,000 tests delivered to date, we’ve
seen a fantastic degree of community support in that time,” said VAC CEO Simon Ruth. “This announcement
ensures that PRONTO! can continue to be a safe and supportive space that eliminates barriers to testing by
offering a fast, free, and convenient service.”
“It’s encouraging that the government has made this commitment to ending HIV and a testament to the
success of this peer-led community initiative,” he added. “PRONTO! is critical in promoting regular HIV
testing amongst at risk gay men and other MSM. VAC is excited to have the opportunity to continue to
develop PRONTO! in the future.”

As part of the #approvePrEPdownunder campaign advocating for the approval of Pre
Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for use in Australia, the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) has released a clip online
featuring community leaders living with HIV delivering a strong message - if PrEP had been available, they
would have never acquired HIV.
“Coming from community leaders with lived experiences as HIV positive spanning over three decades, it’s
a moving testament to the fact that if this technology had been available, these people would not be living
with HIV today,” said VAC CEO Simon Ruth.
Living Positive Victoria CEO Brent Allan is featured in the clip and spoke to the importance of people living
with HIV (PLHIV) in advocating for PrEP to be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
“This video places PLHIV where they need to be - championing those strategies which we know make a
difference in HIV prevention,” he said. “PLHIV have always been central and vital in HIV prevention. Our
voices are pivotal in bringing this epidemic to an end.”
David Menadue has been a longstanding AIDS activist in Australia having been diagnosed in 1984.
“PrEP will have an increasingly important role as a method to prevent HIV transmission,” he said. “As the
science about its safety becomes even clearer, as Governments agree to subsidise its cost, and as society
appreciates its value (rather than stigmatizing those who use it), it will have a profound effect on decreasing
the numbers of new diagnoses and helping to End HIV.”
“PrEP is an incredible advancement in the fight against HIV because for the first time, biomedical prevention
isn’t just the responsibility of the HIV positive person,” added Nic Holas, HIV Advocate/co-founder of The
Institute of Many (TIM). “Now, HIV negative people can enjoy the same control of their sexual health that
HIV positive people have had available to them for nearly 20 years.”
“I hope the message in this video reaches anybody who is, or has the potential to be, affected by HIV,” said
VAC Board Member John Manwaring. “Whether it’s a negative person at risk of contracting it, a health care
professional who is skeptical of the merits of PrEP, or a politician is unaware of its profound benefits and
potential, I hope this video prompts them to pause and think about their role in preventing HIV, and how
they can contribute to the end of new transmissions by 2020.”
JOY 94.9 radio personality Dean Beck, goes further with a call to action prompted by his recent lived
experience with HIV.
“It took a decade for Australian government authorities to approve HIV rapid testing. In a country that
professes to have the world’s best health care system, that inaction is reprehensible and negligent in the
extreme. Having successfully used PEP twice to stay negative, I closely followed the international trials and
roll-out of PrEP in the USA. Had it been available in Australia I would have been on it,” he said. “Whilst
my recent HIV positive diagnosis means it is too late for me, it is essential that all men who have sex with
men wanting PrEP should have access to it. PrEP is an essential tool for stopping the spread of HIV and its
inclusion on the PBS is vital for the future health and well-being of my community.”

Today’s announcement by the Victorian Government to introduce legislation to repeal Section 19A of the Crimes
Act 1958 (Vic) has been welcomed by the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC), Living Positive Victoria, and various community leaders.
The Andrews Government has recognised that Section 19A is the only offence of its kind in Australia - contributing to the stigma
experienced by people living with HIV (PLHIV) and hindering efforts in HIV prevention.
During the 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) in Melbourne last July, VAC and Living Positive Victoria spearheaded
a campaign to #Repeal19A with the support of state and national organisations across health and law sectors. The campaign saw
commitments from various political parties going into November’s Victorian State Election to repeal 19A including the Andrews
Labor Government.
“The law needs to treat HIV transmission as a public health issue, not as a criminal justice issue. Section 19A wrongly stigmatises
people living with HIV as dangerous. It risks undermining public health messages around HIV prevention. It is vital to repeal section
19A in order for our laws to support the community’s efforts to reduce HIV stigma, encourage people to seek treatment as early as
possible, and prevent future transmission of HIV,” said senior Victorian barrister Ian Freckelton QC.
Chair, HIV Legal Working Group, Paul Kidd went on to say, “Research around the world shows this is the right way to combat HIV.
Our organisations strongly believe the Public Health and Wellbeing Act provides the best way to deal with allegations of risky
behaviour – keeping the public safe and protecting human rights. We are calling on the Director of Public Prosecutions to adopt
prosecutorial guidelines that support that commitment.”
Professor Sharon Lewin, Director of the Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne and the local co-chair for AIDS2014 said
“Reducing HIV transmission is best approached through effective public health policy and community engagement – not through
criminalisation and stigma. The repeal of section 19A is a very welcome announcement and an important enduring legacy from
AIDS2014 to see an end to stigma and discrimination for all people living with HIV.”
“Now that this legislation has been introduced, we hope it is met with the same bipartisan support we have seen in the Victorian
response to HIV/AIDS historically,” said VAC CEO Simon Ruth. “Repealing 19A will allow us to combat the stigma experienced by
PLHIV and to continue our work in HIV prevention - a vital step forward if we’re to see a future with no new HIV notifications in
Victoria.”

With the recent Australian Christian Lobby warning that faith-based adoption agencies
may cease to operate unless they’re granted the right to refuse same-sex couples, both the Victorian AIDS
Council (VAC) and Drummond Street Services have stepped up to say they’d be willing to offer an adoption
service that doesn’t discriminate if the need arises.
“If an adoption service can’t operate without permission to discriminate against potential parents from
a gender, sex, or sexually diverse background, then it’s not a service that the state of Victoria should be
supporting - whether that’s through financial support or by being granted an exemption,” said VAC CEO
Simon Ruth. “VAC will do everything it can to support the diverse community it serves. If that means
setting up an adoption agency to support potential rainbow families, we’ll work with community partners
to make that happen.”
Commited to programs and services that ensure the wellbeing of Victorian families, Drummond Street
Services has come forward to say it would work with VAC if such a need arose.
“In a time when so many children desperately need to be placed in alternative permanent, safe and
nurturing families, faith-based organisations seeking to discriminate against same-sex loving adult couples
who are willing to provide such support, seems ludicrous and offensive,” said Drummond Street CEO Karen
Field. “Asking for protection in order to maintain their prejudicial and homophobic beliefs in this day and
age is insulting and, I would have thought, contrary to good Christian values.”
Field went on to say, “It is unfortunate that the Royal Commission provides ample examples where the
unfettered protection faith-based organisations have enjoyed, and have asked to be continued, has at
times been at the detriment of children in their care. In addition, proposed changes to the Adoption Act by
the Victorian government is merely seeking to both acknowledge and keep pace with the rich and diverse
family forms in contemporary Australia life.”

Early this morning Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop confirmed that two Victorians,
a mother and her adult son, were on board the Germanwings Flight 4U9525 that crashed in the Southern
Alps en route from Barcelona to Dusseldorf in the early hours of the morning. Longstanding VAC volunteer
Greig Friday has now been identified as one of the two Australians lost in this tragedy. Greig had been
featured in a previous VAC Health Promotion campaign in 2010 and worked as a volunteer facilitator in
VAC’s Young & Gay Peer Education program for the past several years.
Greig started volunteering for VAC in 2007 after completing the Young & Gay Peer Education Workshop.
Greig was instrumental in the success of Young & Gay, providing assistance and guidance to many young
people to overcome homophobia and celebrate their sexual identity. Greig also played a key role in the
establishment of Young & Gay Alumni, a social support group for participants to remain connected to the
community after the workshop. Young & Gay was recently recognised at Melbourne’s innaugural GLOBE
awards in October 2014 recognising significant contributions to the LGBTIQ community.
VAC Peer Education Coordinator Budi Sudarto worked closely with Greig. “We will miss Greig’s witty
personality and his sense of humour. Greig always put others first, and this is evident in his on-going
dedication to both Young & Gay and the Peer Education Program,” he said. “We will remember Greig, and
we want him to know that he left positive mark in the world and put smiles on others’ faces as part of his
legacy.”
VAC President Greg Carter added, “We express our sincerest condolences to all those that lost loved ones
in today’s tragedy, but we’re incredibly saddened that we’ve lost one of our dedicated volunteers. Our
thoughts are with Greig’s friends as well as his family, who have lost both Greig and his mother Carol.”
“We’re an organisation that has only ever been possible with the support of community members like
Greig Friday,” said VAC CEO Simon Ruth. “Today we honour Greig’s contributions to VAC and the positive
impact he has made on the lives of several young gay men in our community.”
On a final note, VAC Director, Health Promotions, Policy & Communications, Colin Batrouney added, “Greig
Friday was a highly valued volunteer with the Health Promotion Program. Like many young gay men, Greig
had to find a way of coming to grips with his sexuality, learn about relationships, and come out in a society
that is sometimes hostile to gay men. Greig did all this with grace and humility. He became a Peer Facilitator
with our program, offering support, education and friendship to other gay men facing the same issues. His
kindness and generosity of spirit will be sorely missed by all of us.”

The Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) congratulates the Victorian Government on today’s
announcement of the Ice Action Plan. The launch of this Ice Action Plan ensures VAC will be able to
continue to deliver its Alcohol & Other Drug Services aimed at reducing the harm associated with ice use
in Victorian LGBTI communities.
The Andrews Government’s $45.5 million action plan has a focus on reducing the harm associated with ice
use by assisting families, supporting frontline workers, using education campaigns for drug-use prevention,
reducing the supply of ice, and increasing support services. This includes addressing the specific needs of
the LGBTI communities affected by ice use in Victoria.
“With concerns over the impact ice use has on HIV risk reduction strategies as well as the ongoing health
and wellbeing of our community, we welcome this announcement,” said VAC CEO Simon Ruth. “We look
forward to working with Minister Foley on further improving health outcomes for the LGBTI communities.”
The Ice Action Plan is available online at: www.premier.vic.gov.au/ice-action-plan
For more information on VAC’s current Alcohol & Other Drug Services, go to: www.vac.org.au/AODServices