FRONTLINE. 04/06/1989

A weekly current affairs programme introduced by Neil Billington. This week Frontline looks at New Zealanders who are living with HIV Aids, and the New Labour Party.

Bill Ralston reports on the New Labour Party conference, and concludes that most of the unity lay in nothing more than New Labour’s rejection and vilification of Labour under Lange.

Interviewees: Jock Barnes, Leader 1951 Waterfront Strike; Phil Amos, Labour Cabinet Minister 1972-75; Matt McCarten, President, New Labour Party; Jim Anderton, Leader, New Labour Party.

“It’s five o’clock on the Doomsday clock, according to a leading Australian expert on Aids, Mr Justice Kirby. He says the disease confronts civilisation with its greatest crisis since WWII but there is still time for Aids to be halted in its tracks. Even while there is no cure or vaccine in sight, Justice Kirby believes an awareness of the risks and changes in our behaviour may deny Aids its complete and final victory. In New Zealand where the rate of infection is alarmingly following world trends, there is a plea for greater understanding of the plight of Aids sufferers. The Human Rights Commission has proposed a change to the law to prevent discrimination against them. And among the sufferers themselves, there is a growing awareness of the need to concentrate on the quality of life while there is still time”.

The positive approach to Aids; Amanda Millar reports with two stories about living and dying with Aids. Alistair is HIV infected - he is living with Aids. Michael is 26, and he is dying of Aids.