In the lead up to the 2024 Queensland State General Election, held Saturday October 26, Queensland Positive People, in the spirit of bipartisanship, reached out to the three major parties in Queensland, Queensland Labor, the LNP – Liberal National Party, and the Queensland Greens with a survey addressing their positions on the health, communities and social services sectors, QPP membership, and people living with HIV across Queensland.
Explore below each parties response while considering your vote for the 2024 Queensland State Election.
Queensland Positive People has and will continue to work with all parties, in all levels of government, in our mission to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV, and help reduce new transmissions of HIV and STIs.
Highlighted new funding commitments
Queensland Labour
A re-elected Miles Labor Government will commit $700,000 for a pilot program of an integrated statewide Nurse Practitioner— Peer HIV and STI service and telehealth model of care from QPP’s RAPID Testing Program.
LNP – Liberal National Party
The LNP has committed to an additional $400,000 for the Fortitude Valley RAPID HIV and sexual health service.
This boost in funding will allow the RAPID clinic to expand its services by not only increasing the hours of operation but also by introducing on-the-spot medical treatment and prevention options for HIV and STIs, ensuring that vital sexual health services are more accessible to our community.
Queensland Greens
No highlighted new funding commitments received.
Survey Responses
Responses to all survey questions were not received from all parties, and is noted below where relevant.
Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Justice and Attorney-General
01
Commitment to the decriminalisation of HIV for evidence based public health management framework – HIV transmission related offences are dealt with under the Queensland Public Health Act 2005 and existing public health guidelines.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Miles Labor Government has committed to reviewing the ‘serious disease’ provision at section 13 of the Criminal Law (Coercive Control and Affirmative Consent) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (proposed section 248AA(1)(m) of the Criminal Code). The ‘serious disease’ provision will not commence until this review is undertaken.
In September 2024, the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence made a referral to the Queensland Law Reform Commission to undertake this review. The review will also include existing provisions in the Criminal Code which apply to transmission of, or exposure to, serious disease.
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Queensland Greens are committed progressing the removal of laws which criminalise people living with HIV, criminalise acts or behaviours with zero risk of transmitting HIV, or unnecessarily stigmatise people living with HIV.
Currently, Queensland’s criminal code disincentivises people who suspect themselves to be living with HIV from getting tested and accessing antiviral medication.
These laws have been used to blackmail and abuse people living with HIV, do not prevent transmission of HIV, and actively discourage behaviours that reduce transmission (like getting tested).
02
Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899 Commitment to review the Queensland Criminal Code for laws that criminalise HIV transmission and undermine the public health response to HIV in Queensland (s317 a, b, e and k s320 and s328) and removal of ‘or transmit a serious disease to any person’.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
See response 01
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Queensland Greens are committed to reviewing the Queensland Criminal Code in relation to provisions which criminalise people living with HIV, criminalise acts or behaviours with zero risk of transmitting HIV, or unnecessarily stigmatise people living with HIV
03
Criminal Law (Coercive Control and Armative Consent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (Bill) Commitment that the armative consent provisions in the Act (sections 13 to 16), which contain new section 348AA(1)(m) relating to the transmission of a serious disease will not commence ahead of the recommended review (Recommendation 3) by the Legal Aairs and Safety Committee.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
See response 01
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Queensland Greens are committed to reviewing the provisions introduced in the Criminal Law (Coercive Control and Armative Consent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 which relate to transmission of a serious disease and which may criminalise people living with HIV, criminalise acts or behaviours with zero risk of transmitting HIV, or unnecessarily stigmatise people living with HIV.
04
Funding of the HIV/AIDS Legal Centre through Queensland Community Legal Centre funding streams to provide required specialist legal support for people living with HIV in Queensland to address severe HIV related stigma and discrimination. Please note – the level of funding required will decrease over time if 1,2 and 3 above are addressed.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Miles Labor Government is committed to ensuring access to justice and equality before the law for all Queenslanders. Community Legal Centres (CLCs) are funded via Commonwealth and state funding, administered in accordance with the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP).
Through NLAP, funding is distributed to CLCs who are successful via tender processes.
On 6 September 2024, National Cabinet signed a Heads of Agreement for a new National Access to Justice Partnership that will provide a critical increase of nearly $800 million in funding over five years from 2025-26 to the legal assistance sector. The National Access to Justice Partnership will commence on expiry of the current NLAP on 30 June 2025.
CLCs seeking funding will need to apply in the next tender process, which will commence once the new Partnership has been finalised.
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Queensland Greens are committed to providing new funding for community legal centres, including specialist services for people living with HIV. People living with HIV are more likely to face legal barriers and unlawful discrimination related to areas of law such as migration, employment, and family law.
Queensland Health
01
Continued commitment to the removal of co-payments for HIV medications in Queensland and the delivery of free HIV-related treatment and care to Medicare-ineligible people residing in Queensland.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Miles Labor Government is proud to have removed co-payments for HIV medication in Queensland, regardless of Medicare eligibility. We will retain this important measure if we are re-elected.
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The funding of universal, quality healthcare should not be seen as an imagined luxury reserved for a prosperous society, but instead as a prerequisite to achieving that prosperity, one that all Queenslanders can share in.
Providing free and readily accessible HIV screening and treatment is essential to achieving zero transmission and ensuring that all people living with HIV are able to live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives.
02
Continuation of QPP Funding at current 2024/2025 levels for remainder of contract to 2025/2026 – this includes previous election commitment additional funding to support peer led HIV and STI point of care testing (the RAPID program) and HIV self-testing programs that is due to expire June 2025.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Miles Labor Government is proud to have supported QPP and the important work of RAPID in this term of Government. As part of RAPID’s 10th birthday celebrations, the Minister for Health announced that we would provide additional funding for RAPID and QPP’s HIV self-testing program, to ensure it can continue through to the end of the current contract.
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Queensland Greens recognise the importance of funding peer support services like those provided by QPP alongside state-managed health care services.
Through funding adequacy, certainty, and continuity, peer-run organisations like QPP can spend less time and resources advocating for funding, and more time and resources implementing their programs for their community.
The Queensland Greens are committed to improving the quantum and duration of funding for peer services like QPP.
03
Commitment to 5-year renewal of QPP Service Agreement from July 2026 at least at current 2024/2025 funding levels + CPI.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Miles Labor Government is proud to have supported QPP and the important work of RAPID in this term of Government. We will continue to work with QPP to deliver high quality, peer-led services to prevent STI and BBV transmission, and support PLHIV.
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
See response 02
04
Commitment to improving education for people living with HIV to reduce preventable morbidity and mortality due to early onset of chronic disease (accelerated and accentuated ageing).
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Miles Labor Government is proud to have partnered with QPP to deliver education and stigma campaigns. We will continue to work with QPP to ensure PLHIV are able to access appropriate and needs-based healthcare, including preventative and primary care.
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Queensland Greens are committed to acting on the advice of the HIV aected community on matters related to HIV education for people who are and are not living with HIV.
05
Commitment to an innovative pilot program of an integrated statewide Nurse Practitioner – Peer HIV and STI service and telehealth model of care from QPP’s RAPID Testing Program. This would enable expanded scope of practice and increased access to prevention including PrEP, testing, treatment and support for all Queenslanders including in regional and remote areas across Queensland.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
A re-elected Miles Labor Government will commit $700,000 for a pilot program of an integrated statewide Nurse Practitioner— Peer HIV and STI service and telehealth model of care from QPP’s RAPID Testing Program.
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The LNP has committed to an additional $400,000 for the Fortitude Valley RAPID HIV and sexual health service.
This boost in funding will allow the RAPID clinic to expand its services by not only increasing the hours of operation but also by introducing on-the-spot medical treatment and prevention options for HIV and STIs, ensuring that vital sexual health services are more accessible to our community.
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Queensland Greens are committed to pilot an integrated statewide Nurse Practitioner – Peer HIV and STI service and telehealth model of care from QPP’s RAPID Testing Program. Such programs have the potential to reduce overall eects and costs related to HIV through the provision of preventative and early health care.
06
Commitment to providing an infrastructure grant to QPP and the Metro North Sexual Health Service to purchase a building to deliver co-located HIV and sexual health services. QPP is currently renting Ann St on the private market and the MN SHS Roma St premises are no longer fit for purpose nor meet required standards for clinical service delivery. This would be an innovative community and health services partnership initiative.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
See response 03
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Queensland Greens are committed to the provision of fit-for-purpose premises that provide certainty and continuity for QPP and Metro North Sexual Health Services and the people they service.
07
Commitment to Positive Minds Pilot Program – co-designed, peer and psychologist facilitated group and individual sessions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people living with HIV who have mental health challenges and/or problematic alcohol and other drugs use. Program would be piloted in person and online across Queensland.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
See response 04
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Queensland Greens have a comprehensive and funded public health plan to create and sta 200 public GP and allied health professional clinics. This also includes additional funding to boost the Federal government mental health scheme with an additional 10 GP visits (to a total of 20) with additional state funding.
If in a position to implement this plan, the Queensland Greens commit to working with QPP to devise peer and professional facilitated mental health services.
Department of Communities Housing and the Digital Economy
01
Commitment to providing peer led social support activities to reduce impact of social isolation and loneliness for people living with HIV across Queensland.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
A re-elected Miles Government will continue to implement the recommendations of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Social Isolation and Loneliness, including looking at specific supports for people living with HIV in Queensland.
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
Recent increases to mental health funding following the Inquiry into
the opportunities to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders amounted to less than half the quantum of funding
needed to properly resource Queensland’s mental health services and bring us into line with states like Victoria according to submissions from the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, The Australian Medical Association Queensland, and Executive Director of Queensland Health, Professor John Allan.
The Queensland Greens are committed to properly resourcing mental health support for all Queenslanders, especially those at increased risk of loneliness, including people living with HIV.
02
Commitment to identifying models of care and priority pathways to housing for people living with HIV who are disengaged, or at risk of disengaging from treatment and health services for people living with HIV across Queensland.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Miles Labor Government is proud to have partnered with QPP to deliver better services for PLHIV. We will continue to work with QPP to ensure PLHIV are able to access appropriate and needs-based healthcare and services.
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
Historically, the government used to play a much larger role in housing, directly building one in seven new homes for people to rent or buy, while also providing financing for an additional 30%. Since the government stepped back from this role, home ownership rates have declined, and housing aordability has deteriorated. It’s clear that the housing crisis will not be solved without a renewed commitment to public housing, and closer coordination between government and industry is essential to meet the growing need.
The Greens have a comprehensive and fully costed plan to build 100,000 public homes over six years. A reliable pipeline of government projects would oer greater stability to an industry often aected by boom-bust cycles. By contracting Queensland builders and ensuring homes are constructed in identified areas of need. It’s a bold solution for uncertain times, with the potential to revitalise communities and oer real housing security for tens of thousands of Queenslanders while bolstering confidence in the industry.
25% of these houses would be delivered through an expanded QBuild which would also be tasked with creating a steady supply of new qualified tradespeople with 3000 apprentice positions.
Both of these plans include funding to buy out stalled developments as well as insolvent builders to prevent capacity leaving the industry during what is a challenging time for the industry.
As part of this provision of social housing includes social support for cohorts at increased risk of homelessness and other social harms.
Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
01
Commitment to social isolation services for seniors living with HIV across Queensland including support to provide appropriate advice and support to access the services they need.
Queensland Labor
2024 Queensland Election commitment
The Miles Labor Government is committed to listening to the voices of our LGBTIQ+ communities as they age and have delivered $70,166 to Queensland Positive People through the Senior Social Isolation Program Grants.
This grant will assist QPP in targeting social connectedness and isolation for people living with HIV who are aged 60 years and over, a cohort that represents more than 50 per cent of HIV positive Queenslanders.
As part of developing the Seniors Action Plan, the Miles Labor Government will directly engage with older Queenslanders to connect them with local services that can help them age well in their communities. Engagement will include opportunities to hear from seniors in regional and remote parts of Queensland, and targeted opportunities to hear from LGBTIQ+ seniors.
LNP
2024 Queensland Election commitment
No response received
Queensland Greens
2024 Queensland Election commitment
Recent increases to mental health funding following the Inquiry into the opportunities to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders amounted to less than half the quantum of funding needed to properly resource Queensland’s mental health services and bring us into line with states like Victoria according to submissions from the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, The Australian Medical Association Queensland, and Executive Director of Queensland Health, Professor John Allan.
The Queensland Greens are committed to properly resourcing mental health support for all Queenslanders, especially those at increased risk of loneliness, including people living with HIV.
