Reacting to newly released Victorian health department figures that showed the number of HIV-positive people moving to that state had quadrupled in two years, Prime Minister John Howard told an Australian radio show:
“My initial reaction is no [HIV-positive people should not be allowed in]. There may be some humanitarian considerations that could temper that in certain cases but prima facie – no…I think we should have the most stringent possible conditions in relation to that nationwide…”
According to Australian site Same Same, it's “just the latest in a series of regressive moves” from Howard: “HIV legal campaigners have this afternoon said that Howard should be investigated for discriminating against people with the virus…Current Australian immigration rules require permanent residents to have a HIV test, but a positive result does not mean that a person's visa would be denied.”
John Howard: HIV Not Welcome in Australia [same same]
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