People With HIV/AIDS Treated Fairly
Letter to the Editor - Sydney Star Observer
10 August 2004
Dear Sir/Madam
Your readers would have a more accurate understanding of issues relating to people with HIV/AIDS applying to migrate to Australia if Tim Benzie (The Long Way Around, 1-7-04) had relied on the facts.
When applying to migrate to Australia, HIV/AIDS has no more or less significance than any health condition where costs likely to be borne by the Australian taxpayers are heavy.
The article singled out the cost estimate for a person with HIV/AIDS when, in fact, the cost estimate is equally high or higher for people with many other health conditions that lead to refusals, such as cancers or renal failures.
It is also untrue that applicants diagnosed with HIV/AIDS are only approved after Migration Review Tribunal consideration. People living with HIV/AIDS constitute the largest single group of health condition waiver cases where a favourable decision is made, on application to the department.
Solicitor David Puls' statement that HIV is one of the only diseases screened as part of the migration process is wrong. The standard immigration medical and x-ray forms record observations, test results and indicators for all sorts of health conditions that may attract significant costs to the Australian community.
Policies in relation to the health of applicants are largely about protecting Australia's taxpayers from bearing unreasonably high costs.
Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA