Howard heartless on HIV refugees

"The Prime Minister's heartless approach to refugees is taken to new depths by his announcement today that he wants to reject refugees who are unfortunate enough to be suffering from disease as well as persecution," Senator Nettle said.

"Australia has a responsibility to accept refugees who are fleeing persecution. The fact that some may be suffering from disease does not change that responsibility.

"The HIV epidemic in Africa means that a blanket ban on accepting HIV positive refugees will severely limit Australia's ability to continue a proud record of accepting refugees from Africa.

"These comments also send the wrong message on being HIV positive. Already people who are HIV positive suffer unnecessary discrimination in our community. The Prime Minister saying that HIV suffers should be locked out of the country doesn't help.

"It's simply not credible for the Prime Minister to suggest that he is worried about the cost to our health system to care for these people when his government is happy to waste hundreds of millions on advertising each year.

"Australia is a rich country with a strong health system. We can and should be able to cope with the very small number of refugees who are HIV positive."

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146