The Policy and Communications Team

The AFAO Policy and Communications Team provides policy advice and produces publications on HIV and related issues. The team works closely with AFAO member organisations and other agencies involved in the development of policy and programs that relate to HIV and affected communities.

Our work

Much of the work undertaken by the team addresses proposed changes to Federal Government policies which relate to the health and welfare of people affected by and living with HIV/AIDS across Australia.

The work of the Team focuses on issues such as:

• Commonwealth and State funding arrangements that affect HIV prevention programs and services for people with HIV;
• Changes to Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and other government programs that affect people with HIV;
• Criminal prosecutions involving HIV transmission;
• Immigration policies affecting people with HIV;
• Human rights of people with HIV and those at risk of acquiring HIV.

The Policy and Communications Team produces submissions, reports and briefing papers to advocate on behalf of AFAO’s members and raise awareness of policy issues. The Team also produces AFAO’s flagship magazine, HIV Australia.

AFAO Policy Officers represent AFAO in presentations to Federal parliamentary committees and by sitting on relevant Commonwealth advisory bodies relating to domestic and regional HIV policies and programs. View listing of representatives.

The Team
The work of the Policy and Communications Team is carried out by Linda Forbes (Acting Manager), Finn O'Keefe and Jill Sergeant.