Howard calls for ban on HIV-positive immigration

Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Friday called for a ban on HIV-positive people immigrating to Australia.

Speaking on local radio, Howard said HIV-positive people should not be allowed to immigrate to Australia, although he added he would like "more counsel" on the issue.

"My initial reaction is no (they should not be allowed in)," he told Southern Cross Broadcasting. "There may be some humanitarian considerations that could temper that in certain cases, but prima facie -- no."

Howard said banning HIV-positive people was a logical step because Australia already stops people with another communicable diseases, tuberculosis, from immigrating to the country.
He was speaking in response to questions about a Victorian state health department study that showed an increase in the number of HIV-positive people moving to the southeastern state.

Howard said he would look at how the law could be changed to stop HIV-positive people coming to Australia.

"I think we should have the most stringent possible conditions to that nationwide," he said. "I know that the health minister (Tony Abbott) is concerned about that and is examining ways of tightening things up, and I think people are entitled to be concerned."

Howard's comments prompted swift anger from local HIV/AIDS groups, which questioned the wisdom of such a ban.

"We don't welcome the prime minister's remarks and we will be seeking to clarify his intent," Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations President Ian Rankin told Kyodo News.

"Banning people with HIV usually leads to perverse outcomes. In other words, it causes people to hide their condition," he said.

Rankin pointed to the United States, which has had laws stopping HIV-positive people entering the country since the 1980s -- but relaxed its rules in December for short term visitors -- as an example of what not do to.

"The United States' policy of exclusion has not served it well. While it has been the center of scientific excellence for AIDS research, the ban has sidelined its development and prevented it from holding international AIDS conferences."

Under Australia's current immigration law, permanent visa applicants aged 15 or older are required to take an HIV/AIDS test. If found to be HIV positive, immigration authorities are to take into consideration the cost of the condition to Australia's health care and community services if a visa were to be granted.