11E. Do I tell? – STI/BBVs disclosure and consent laws reforms
Tracks
| Wednesday, September 16, 2026 |
| 11:20 AM - 12:50 PM |
| Albert |
Details
When does a person need to disclose an STI or blood-borne virus (BBV) to a sexual partner? How do evolving consent laws influence disclosure expectations? And what advice should clinicians provide when legal obligations, public health evidence and community perspectives do not always align?
Recent legal developments, including the widely discussed DPP v Marriott case in the ACT, have reignited debate about whether non-disclosure of an STI or BBV may affect the validity of sexual consent and the extent to which criminal law should regulate intimate relationships. The case has highlighted the uncertainty that can arise at the intersection of sexual consent, disclosure obligations, transmission risk, and public health policy.
This timely panel brings together community advocates, a legal expert, and a sexual health clinician to explore the complex and often controversial intersection of STI/BBV disclosure, consent and law reform. Through diverse perspectives and moderated questions and answers, panellists will examine how disclosure requirements affect stigma, relationships, health-seeking behaviour, access to testing and treatment, and the rights of people living with STIs and BBVs.
Speaker
Dr Ming Lee
Unit Director
Canberra Sexual Health Centre
Introduction and Framing
11:30 AM - 11:40 AMBiography
Dr Ming Lee is a Specialist in Sexual Health and HIV and the Director of the Canberra Sexual Health Centre, ACT, Australia. He also holds Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer appointments at Imperial College London, UK and the Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology, Australia.
Dr Brooke Maria Hollingshead
Research Fellow / Programme Lead
University of Auckland / Positive Women Inc
Panel Member
11:40 AM - 12:20 PMBiography
Brooke is a Research Fellow at the Gay Men's Sexual Health research group at the University of Auckland, and also works at Positive Women Inc. and Toitū te Ao doing policy and research work. She has a PhD on HIV in the Philippines through the Australian Research Centre on Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, and is passionate about rights-based advocacy, policy change and global health.
Mr Joshua Anlezark
Chief Executive Officer
Meridian
Panel Member
11:40 AM - 12:20 PMBiography
Joshua Anlezark is CEO of Meridian with experience in community-controlled organisations working in HIV, sexual health and viral hepatitis. Joshua is a committed advocate for health equity, human rights, stigma reduction and evidence-based responses to complex issues.
Mr Vikas Parwani
Principal Solicitor
HIV/AIDS Legal Centre
Panel Member
11:40 AM - 12:20 PMBiography
Vikas Parwani is the Principal Solicitor of the HIV/AIDS Legal Centre. His expertise lies in HIV and the law, undertaking strategic litigation, law reform and advocacy. He has published, presented widely, and given evidence to parliamentary committees and law reform bodies on HIV related legal issues like criminalisation.
Dr Ming Lee
Unit Director
Canberra Sexual Health Centre
Panel Member
11:40 AM - 12:20 PMBiography
Dr Ming Lee is a Specialist in Sexual Health and HIV and the Director of the Canberra Sexual Health Centre, ACT, Australia. He also holds Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer appointments at Imperial College London, UK and the Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology, Australia.
ASRH Conference
11E. Questions & Discussion
12:20 PM - 12:45 PMBiography
Dr Ming Lee
Unit Director
Canberra Sexual Health Centre
Key Takeaways and Closing
12:45 PM - 12:50 PMBiography
Session Chair
Aaron Cogle
Executive Director
National Association of People with HIV Australia, NAPWHA
Ming Lee
Unit Director
Canberra Sexual Health Centre
