Page 3511 - Week 13 - Thursday, 26 November 1992
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It has been said, and I think it has been demonstrated this morning by some of the people opposite, that the agenda on this very important matter of AIDS has been captured and is being run by the gay lobby. I say that because I have been quite appalled at the attitude of people opposite in relation to innocent victims of this deadly virus. It appears to me that we cannot get up and debate this matter sensibly and logically, without being attacked on the basis, as I said earlier, that we are planning to set up some concentration camps; that we are invading people's privacy; that we will - - -
Mr Lamont: Who are the guilty victims?
MR CORNWELL: Mr Lamont interjects and asks, "Who are the guilty victims?". I could not have a better example of what I have just been talking about. We are not discussing guilt, Mr Lamont. We are discussing the problems that are likely to be confronted by a lot of innocent people out there in the community.
Mr Moore: So, who is not innocent?
MR CORNWELL: Just a moment. We are discussing the problems likely to be confronted by a lot of innocent people out there in the community if they find themselves infected by this virus by their partner. We are not judging their partner; what we are saying is that the people who have not been told by their partner are certainly innocent victims, and they at least deserve to have the opportunity, if they are tested positive, to receive medical treatment. This is going to be denied them under the arrangements that this Labor Government has put forward.
You are so keen on talking about people's rights. What about their responsibilities? You are so keen to talk about the problem and that people should be given the option as to whether they are going to admit and tell their spouse, their partner, that they are infected. What about the right of the partner to know? That does not seem to enter into your considerations. Ms Szuty said - and I think Mr Moore made the same point - that she believes that people who are exposed to the virus may not come forward if this disallowance goes forward. I think there is a pretty powerful incentive to come forward and seek treatment because, as Mr Humphries and, I think, Mrs Carnell indicated, this is a deadly disease.
Mr Moore: But there is no cure.
MR CORNWELL: There is no cure. Thank you. I think you may find that people who are infected will nevertheless come forward. They will at least - - -
Mr Moore: There is no cure; why come forward?
MR CORNWELL: Just a moment. They are certainly not going to hide out there. I think you misunderstand human nature. I would imagine that if they are prepared to come forward some of them may not be prepared to tell their spouses and their partners. They obviously are not prepared to accept their responsibilities in this matter. I believe that it is only right and proper that others should. I do not accept that the people who are infected by this HIV virus have all the rights and none of the responsibilities. I believe that the health and the lives of innocent people are at stake, and we should give at least as much attention to looking after their rights as to the rights of those sufferers of HIV.
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