HIV test policy condemned
RESTRICTIONS placed on HIV positive people under the proposed Pacific Island guest worker visa programme has been described by an association for people with AIDS as “unjustified, discriminatory and racist”.
The Australian-based National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) said the visa programme should be opened to all people regardless of their HIV status.
“This is a programme that is meant to benefit Australia and its neighbours.
“People with HIV have as much to offer as their HIV negative counterparts.
“Banning them from participation would be unjustified, discriminatory and racist,” NAPWA president Robert Mitchell said in a press statement.
Recent media reports have said that applicants for the pilot programme, due to start next year for PNG, would be screened for HIV and other diseases before they were granted visas to work in Australia.
Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Sam Abal, earlier this week, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Papua New Guineans testing positive to HIV would not be selected to participate in the scheme.
Mr Abal defended the decision to introduce compulsory testing for the seasonal work visa.
“This will be a requirement and also helps us get people tested anyway.”
Mr Abal was criticised for this comment by HIV supporters like Florence Momo from IGAT Hope.
“If a Papua New Guinean says that we can’t go there because we are HIV positive, then it’s total discrimination.”
NAPWA has called on the Australian government to clarify its plans and to reject discrimination on the basis of HIV status.
“Australia does not currently have restrictions on short term travel by people with HIV, including for numerous visa categories with permission to work,” Mr Mitchell said.
NAPWA has consistently argued that people living with HIV should not be restricted from international travel.
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