THE HON TANY PLIBERSEK MP
MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR SYDNEY
SPEECH TO ACON RUBY GALA DINNER
SYDNEY
18 OCTOBER 2025
Check against delivery
Thank you Justin and thank you Binowee for that Welcome to Country.
I recognise that we meet tonight on the land of the Gadigal people. I acknowledge the Traditional Owners and pay my respect to`their elders past and present.
I also want to acknowledge the Governor-General Sam Mostyn; Premier Chris Minns; State Members and MLCs; mayors and councillors here tonight.
Forty years ago, in the midst of a health crisis, a group of volunteers came together to fight for their lives and for the lives of others.
It was the beginning of ACON – the AIDS Council of New South Wales – formed in 1985 under the banner – “Fighting for Our Lives”.
That meeting at the NSW Teachers Federation Hall grew a movement that would define Australia’s HIV response for decades to come – and help make it one of the most successful responses in the world.
There was fear, there was stigma, there was silence. But ACON spoke up. You educated, you cared, you campaigned. You saved lives.
We remember pioneers like the late Betty Hounslow and the volunteers of 1985 who met fear with courage – the people ACON was built on.
From organising the “Make AZT Available” rally to helping the marvellous Neil Blewett draft Australia’s first National AIDS Strategy, ACON ensured the community had a voice at the table -
while on the ground, volunteers distributed safe-sex packs from Oxford Street bars and established one of the first community-run counselling services for people living with HIV.
Today, ACON is one of Australia’s leading LGBTQ+ health organisations. From HIV prevention to mental health, from ageing to cancer screening, from TransHub to the Kaleido Health Centre, ACON continues to lead with courage, commitment and community.
So many of you here tonight – activists, researchers, clinicians, have contributed to Australia’s success – we have one of the lowest HIV rates in the world.
And you will deliver that next great step – zero transmission.
We’ve worked together on research, drug law reform, domestic and family violence, aged care, immigration law, marriage equality, rainbow families – and so much more over the years.
ACON doesn’t just deliver services – it drives change, builds understanding and reminds every LGBTQ+ person that they are valued, loved and supported.
The Albanese Labor Government is investing over $80 million to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people.
And recently we supported Lifeblood to end the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood and plasma in Australia.
We know there is always more to do. Another challenge to take on.
As ACON celebrate 40 years, we honour the activists, carers and campaigners who forged this legacy — and we recommit to the work ahead.
From those first community meetings in 1985 to today’s leadership in HIV prevention, inclusive health and ageing with dignity, ACON has never stopped evolving.
It remains a model of what community action, compassion and courage can achieve.
Congratulations and happy anniversary.
ENDS
