This study analyses the influence the HIV/AIDS epidemic has had on the
development of public policy in Australia, and evaluates the effect this policy is
having on preventing the spread of this disease. According to Waites (1993 p.7)
Australia's integrated reaction to the issue of HIV/AIDS has been amongst the
finest in the world. This has been due to the cooperation of government health
authorities and the first affected groups, especially the gay male population in
urban areas. The purpose of this study is to investigate how, and if, this
integrated response to policy development occurred, and then discover whether or
not the outcome has resulted in the implementation of effective public policy.
The method chosen to conduct this study was to apply a variety of models to the
research. The epidemic, Posner, political, and the implementation and evaluation
models have been developed and applied in order to gain more understanding of
a particular public policy process. These models are used as A framework to
analyse some of the complexities involved; the intention is to separate out some of
the complex interactions. The paradigms chosen to direct this study in policy
analysis do not encompass all the aspects, nor provide all the answers, because
there are multiple complex political, sociological and economic issues within the
HIV/AIDS policy process.
The influence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the development of public policy in
Australia has been remarkable. This has been due to the active responses from
government health authorities, the gay lobby, the media, community groups,
committees, and specific individuals. These include Neal Blewett a former Federal
Minister for Health, a previous Queensland Minister for Health. and Professor
Penington. At times there have been divergent opinions, but the integrated
Australian approach involved in developing the HIV/AIDS National strategy has
ensured that this public policy has received extensive community support Australia
wide (National Evaluation Steering Committee 1993 p.83).
The effect of the National Strategy and associated public policy is difficult to
evaluate. The cost of the human and financial resources involved is also hard to
justify, due to the unknown factors still involved. Evidence suggests that the
HIV/AIDS epidemic has stabilised. Yet no one really knows how many individuals
are currently infected with HIV. The future progress of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is
somewhat of an enigma, and there is no known cure.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219290 |
| Date | January 1993 |
| Creators | Reynolds, Catherine Janet, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Administrative Studies |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Catherine Janet Reynolds |
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