Original subtitles

There's a lot of freaked-out people coming to see me.

Why would we trust you?

The government hasn't exactly been pro-gay in the past.

If you can form an alliance, bring your various groups together,

amalgamate and incorporate,

then we can get funding to you.

Are you the ones who have been handing out condoms?

Yeah. We've been doing the same.

A few of us sex workers up on the streets at the Cross.

DAVID: Is this yours?

I haven't had sex with your boyfriend. He's a nice guy.

He's just... He's really not my type.

It's not a big deal, really. I spend so much time on my own now.

I got lonely.

You need to lighten up.

Please tell me how I should lighten up.

I am not gonna stay when I'm not wanted.

Fine.

REPORTER ON TV: It has been reported today

that three babies have died of AIDS in Queensland

after receiving contaminated blood donations from the same donor,

a homosexual man.

(TENSE MUSIC)

'Gay Blood Fear As 3 Babies Die'.

'Hawke Blamed'.

'Blood On Their Hands'.

'The Gay Crisis'.

Have you seen this? "Die, you deviant"?

I have "Donor walks free" here somewhere.

What do we know about what happened to these babies?

The first death was in February.

February. That's... Nine months, yes.

But this is the first we've heard about it.

There's another seriously ill at Brisbane Mater Hospital.

How'd it happen?

They traced the blood to donations made by a single man

who's gay and a regular donor.

Did he know when he donated blood that he had the virus?

No. He found out three days ago that he has HIV.

So, he's had a full 72 hours to process it

before newspapers started telling him to die.

We can't let this tragedy become a political issue,

whatever the intentions were behind the timing of all this.

Absolutely.

We need to make sure

our parliamentary liaison committee remains united.

I'll round them up.

I'm, uh, guessing you'd like to speak to the Queensland Health Minister?

I definitely have things I'd like to say to him.

The parliamentary liaison group.

Roland, National Party.

Been in Canberra a long time.

Loved by his constituents, tolerated by his party leader.

Rather short notice, wouldn't you say, Jeremy?

Right.

Well, it's good to see you all here.

Let me begin by first saying what's happened in Queensland is a tragedy.

We came together as a group at the beginning of the AIDS crisis

so that we could step through this as a united parliament.

I'm hoping... What does the Prime Minister say?

Lisa, Australian Democrats.

Here to keep the bastards honest. Their words, not ours.

The Prime Minister is heartbroken

as we all are at the loss of young lives.

And he's not going to take any political bait thrown at him.

He's going to rise above it. Good.

But there's more. David?

The Queensland Government has pushed through new legislation.

Two years jail and fines of up to $10,000 for donating blood

if you're in a high-risk group.

So, high-risk being...?

IV drug users, sex workers and gay men with multiple partners.

Bloody Queensland.

Hang on, hang on. It's not everyone.

The Health Minister, yes, he's not your ally,

and I've read some ludicrous comments

from the Queensland Premier, but there are other...

Did you know this was coming? I did not know this was coming.

My party is not a hive mind

and I don't appreciate being spoken to that way, Jeremy.

I apologise.

The leader of your party - not just anyone -

the leader said, "If it wasn't for the promotion of homosexuality

"as a norm by the Labor..."

I know what he said. It's appalling. Lisa, I don't think that we need...

And some choice stuff about the traditional families.

I've seen commentary from the public

recommending the death penalty for gay men.

Let's just acknowledge that the loss of children

has raised a spike of animosity towards the Labor Party

and gay men in particular.

Some members of my party want to sabotage things, it's true.

Are you gonna say that while you're campaigning?

Do you mean when we win? No! Enough!

We are not going to talk about this as a way to score points.

Babies in Queensland who died

and the one who's still clinging to life,

it wasn't because anyone was gay

or because of anything we did or did not do.

They contracted an infection.

In this room, we are working together

to stop the spread of that infection.

Our only enemy is the infection.

We came together in a spirit of decency,

representing all the different parties.

Let's not allow this moment to damage the trust.

You're all still here. I'll take that as a good sign.

(POP MUSIC)

PAUL: So, where are you living these days?

St Peters, two blocks from my parents.

(LAUGHS) You're joking! Can you believe it?

Oh, I spent so long trying to escape,

trying to be someone else,

but I'm turning more and more into my dad every day.

You patched things up, then?

Sort of.

You happy?

I think I am.

Well, here's to old friends.

Sorry to barge in on your date.

Mm. It's not a date.

OK. Do you mind? My mates at the bar said that you're a doctor.

Can I ask you a couple of questions? I'll be five minutes, tops.

Take all the time you need.

I'm gonna go get us another round.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Well, I wouldn't usually do a consultation at the pub,

but seeing as though you're already here...

I heard that there's a test for AIDS now. Is it reliable?

It's not perfect, but the test should identify

if you're carrying the HIV antibodies in your blood.

OK. Do you think I should get it? Well, it depends.

Have you had any unprotected sex or shared a needle?

What, in my life?

In the last three years. Of course.

Then you could be at risk. But I always use a condom now.

The incubation period of the virus could be up to 10 years,

so you could have contracted it any time since then.

Everyone's telling me not to get it.

Like, what's the point of knowing if you're gonna die?

But you wanna know?

Yes.

OK, well, if you want the test,

you have to give your name and address.

It's a legal requirement,

but just between you and me, I won't be asking any questions

if you tell me that your name is Neville Wran or Ned Kelly.

So, have a think about whether you're really and truly prepared

to know the result, because if it is positive,

that is not something you can un-know.

We've started offering the new AIDS tests this week.

We just have to hope that people actually want to know their status.

DAVID: Well, if they don't, we'll end up no better than the US.

Some people over there say

their government's turning a manageable problem

into a global pandemic.

Would you get tested?

I'm very low-risk.

I'm not.

Unlike you, I haven't been in

a committed monogamous relationship for years

and I've been booted out of Club 80 at sunrise

more times than I can remember.

(LAUGHS)

I haven't been tested either.

Really?

How do you recommend something that you're not willing to do yourself?

Well, they rely on me to be strong.

I'm not sure I could be strong if I knew that I was positive.

I mean, it's not my place to tell you what to do, Paul, but...

..I couldn't.

I mean, if I thought there was a chance, I...

I'm worried that my patients will stop coming

if they knew that I was sick.

It's not exactly rational, but who'd wanna see the dying doctor?

This is gonna sound completely paranoid,

but I'm worried that the results could be seen by someone else.

I've been telling people to give false names.

Maybe you should take your own advice.

Hm. I could always be Oscar Wilde.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

Let's get a bucket.

SONG: # Ain't nobody gonna steal this heart away

# When the war is over

# Got to get away

# Pack my bags to no place

# No time, no day

# You and I had our sights set on something

# Hope this doesn't mean our days are numbered

# I've got plans

# For more than a wanted man

# All around this chaos and madness

# Can't help feeling nothing more than sadness

# Only choice to face it

# The best I can

# Ain't nobody gonna steal this heart away

# Ain't nobody gonna steal this heart away

# Ain't nobody gonna steal this heart away... #

Morning! I'm making breakfast.

Um, are you hungry? Did I wake you? There's loads.

Sorry. Is this a problem? (EXHALES AWKWARDLY)

I mean, do you want me to leave?

It's fine.

I don't use milk. I just use butter.

(SIGHS)

Let me get that out of your way.

I think I've seen your work before on a flyer. Could that be right?

Some friends, um, asked me to draw some pictures for them.

I mean, that's not... That's not why I do it.

It's my, um, tether, making things. Is that a word, 'tether'?

Like, the thing that keeps you from tipping over the edge.

Is that a tether? Tether, yes.

You know, 'cause otherwise...

The world needs beautiful things right now.

Yes, but it's also a political statement.

I mean, the flyer you've drawn

will have a greater impact than anything I do.

As if. You're actually making a difference.

I have to watch everything I say in Canberra,

force myself to keep my mouth shut all the time.

I could not do it.

We all do what we have to to survive.

I gave you a hard time about the watch thing.

It's forgotten.

I don't know if I'm meant to tell you this, um,

but Gabe has moved to Newtown.

He's staying with Greg and Phil.

Just promise me that you're not gonna...

I'm not gonna stalk him, don't worry.

Thank you...for breakfast.

Mm. I'm glad you're here.

You might change your mind once you've actually tasted this.

(LAUGHS)

Oh! Never mind.

(SIGHS)

Thank you!

Miss, I, um,

I think I saw you on the weekend,

uh, at a bar...

..with your girlfriend?

I'm going to pretend that you didn't just say that you were at a bar.

I'm not much of a bar-goer. Must have been someone else.

Nah, I'm pretty sure it was you.

Well, I'm pretty sure that I don't have a girlfriend, so, thank you.

I'm not gonna tell anyone.

I'm sorry. I just... I, um...

I didn't know who else I could talk to.

You can talk to me.

Um, my parents reckon that all gay guys get AIDS and they die.

That's not true. I don't wanna die.

Are you having sex? I'm too scared.

But you want to.

If you are going to have sex, you need to use a condom, OK?

Every time. That is how you stay safe.

If you can't afford any,

they actually hand them out at the bars.

Yeah, uh, I took a couple.

Actually...

..this number here is an information line

and they will be able to help you with this stuff.

I know things are really hard and you can't see a future

and for some of us, like you and like me,

we have to hide ourselves away,

but that won't always be the case.

You are going to meet the most amazing people.

You're gonna make your own version of family

and they are going to love you for you.

You're not alone and you need to hold onto that, OK?

Sterile water, swab, syringe,

condom, lube, pamphlet,

um, rubber band and you've got yourself a safe injecting kit.

Why the condom?

Well, when people get high, they sometimes get horny.

If the condom's there, it's easier for them to be safe.

So, you never used? No.

Yeah, me neither.

I saw what it did to my friends

and I met Bryan, who had three kids.

Being a stepmum of three really keeps you out of trouble.

Can I ask you a question?

How does sex work fit into the picture?

Well, pays a shitload.

And, you know, I work my own hours, which is good with the kids.

But I just started studying part-time,

so it's all a bit of a juggle right now,

especially with all this.

What are you studying? Law. (CHUCKLES)

It's ironic, right? Oh, what's that look for?

You think someone like me couldn't get into law?

No, not at all. (LAUGHS) Bullshit.

Oh, I'm just surprised, really.

You're very busy. It's a lot to take on.

Well, I can't do this forever

and tertiary education's free.

I paid 100 bucks to join the union. That's it.

Maybe I'll get there one day when we get through all of this.

Oh!

When they find a vaccine or a cure or...

Ah, I don't know.

So many people are getting sick now. I know.

And we've gone from agitators and educators

to caregivers overnight.

I have no idea what I'm doing.

No-one knows how to deal with any of this.

Just keep asking questions.

It's how I get by.

Come on. Let's go.

Oh, and I've just gotta stop somewhere before we hit the streets.

OK.

This is not what I expected.

You looking for whips and chains and dungeons?

No. That's the joint next door.

What? I'm kidding.

Oh. Can I have some more condoms?

Sure.

It's a constant battle.

I keep leaving them here and the boss keeps chucking them out.

I mean, honestly.

Uh...

Hey. Saw you come in. You're not on today.

Well, no flies on you.

What, are you giving tours now?

Well, it's certainly upped the numbers.

You're gonna make this place condom-only

or you're gonna go out of business.

Bullshit, I am. Don't be stupid.

Condoms are cheap.

Other places are starting to do it and if you don't get on board,

you're gonna be left behind.

Everyone is shit-scared of this thing and you should be too.

If one of my girls get it with the guys they see, we'll all be fucked.

(LINE RINGS)

(CLEARS THROAT)

PHIL ON RECORDING: This is Phil. GREG ON RECORDING: I'm Greg.

And this is... GABE ON RECORDING: Gabe.

We're sorry we missed you.

We can't answer now, but leave your name and number right at this...

(BEEP!)

Uh, hello, Greg and Phil. It's David Westford.

A message for Gabe.

Uh, wanted to say hi and just make sure you're alright.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Uh, you have my number.

The guy from Fiedler Research is here.

(SIGHS)

Is everything OK?

Everything's fine.

I'll be right there.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Uh, David Westford. Michael Clement.

I think I know why I'm here.

Yes.

Uh, the way the media has been going crazy about AIDS

in the last few weeks makes us think...

Yeah, the papers, the shock jocks. It's a feeding frenzy.

Newspapers need to sell their product.

It's easier to do that with villains and victims.

Babies are innocent. Everyone's innocent.

It's a virus.

But if babies can get AIDS, then anyone can,

so we need to communicate with everyone directly.

What do the people know? What do they think and feel?

What do they want? Are they afraid to get tested? That sort of thing.

OK, so, what you're asking for is...

Everything.

Specific questions like...

Should we put condom vending machines into high schools?

Wow. Sure you want an answer to that?

Mm-hm.

No-one likes the idea of their teenager injecting heroin,

but when it comes to clean needles...

OK, so, um, "Do you think we should be doing everything

"to stop the spread of the infection?"

Right.

And maybe not, "Do you think we should be making it easier

"for your kids to shoot up?"

I think we're speaking the same language.

David. Tony.

You got a sec? Of course.

How, uh... How are things?

Why?

The press secretary got a phone call.

Yes? From a parliamentarian.

About you.

The Health Department? About you. About you personally.

He knows you're gay...

..and he's planning on saying so in Parliament.

Why? He wants to embarrass you.

It would only be embarrassing if my sexual preference was a secret.

It's not.

(WHISPERS) Never has been.

And you should tell this parliamentarian

to move with the times.

Homosexuality has been decriminalised.

If anyone's gonna be embarrassed here, it's him.

But if he wants to cast the first stone...

(HANGS UP PHONE) We have a new problem.

Tell me it has nothing to do with Queensland.

It has everything to do with Queensland.

Look, our strategy relies on us

sending funds to the State governments.

Our friend, the Premier of Queensland,

is happy to take and spend money for the treatment of people

who already have HIV and AIDS, but...

Refuses to distribute funds for prevention and education.

On what grounds?

They don't believe the strategy will work.

Homosexuality is illegal in Queensland

and they refuse to fund immorality.

We've been getting requests from the current affairs programs,

haven't we?

Yes, but I don't like it.

Every day I stay silent is a day we lose control.

Let's wait for the polling. Every new infection is a failure.

Prevention is all we have, but now...

The aim is to keep politics out of it.

Going on TV only makes it more political.

Being drawn out is the mistake your enemies want you to make

in an election year.

I'm the Health Minister, but I don't control a single hospital.

Not a single nurse.

All I have is the decision about where to put the money.

But you can't... No, no, no. I won't hide.

Not when there are so many questions about what we're doing and why.

I need to make our case.

I can reassure people, buy some time.

And if there's blowback, it needs to fall on me,

not on anyone else.

Hold my hand.

I hate hospitals.

Hello again, Deb.

Hey. How are you? Good.

And you are? Michelle.

I'm Sister Robina.

What can I do for you today?

So many of our friends are getting sick.

Really sick.

And we're trying to help them, but we...don't know what we're doing.

We're just making it up as we go along.

Well, you're not the only ones. Would you like to see our new ward?

('BREAK MY STRIDE' BY MATTHEW WILDER)

# Last night, I had the strangest dream... #

We're holding space for you and your community.

That doesn't mean that we've stopped our own work, of course,

but we're making space to allow you to do yours as best suits you.

Come on.

This is our new ward.

# Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride

# Nobody gonna slow me down

# Oh, no

# I got to keep on moving

# Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride

# I'm running and I won't touch ground

# Oh, no

# I got to keep on moving... #

Now, take your time.

Lift the front and fold it in on itself,

making sure the outside edges are on the outside

so the soiling stays on the inside.

How does this make you feel?

Exposed.

Ah, see, this is intimate,

so if we keep them talking, it's less embarrassing.

What football team do you go for?

# Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride

# Nobody gonna slow me down

# Oh, no

# I got to keep on moving

# Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride

# I'm running and I won't touch ground... #

(WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY)

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

JEREMY: I could do 'Four Corners'.

It could be better to go to a commercial station.

Ratings.

'60 Minutes'?

Haven't had the conversation yet.

I want a solution to the problem in Queensland.

We could get lost in a constitutional argument

about State powers versus Federal.

The virus doesn't respect the Constitution.

I want a solution that works. They're blocking our funds.

I want our funds to get around their block.

If you'll allow me...

Mm.

There are people I know

who vehemently disagree with the way the Queensland Government is acting.

If you're looking for another legal way

to get that funding into Queensland,

I think they'd be delighted to help.

You might call them 'secret religious insurgents'.

Ready? Yes.

We're in Queensland,

home of the Big Pineapple and the Sisters of Benevolence.

(DOOR SHUTS) This is them right here.

Right.

TELLER: Can we help you?

Um, we would like to cash this cheque, please.

Of course.

$7,000?

Uh, and this is for cash?

Yes, please.

One moment, please.

Are we about to get arrested?

We're doing nothing wrong.

(COUNTING MACHINE RUMBLES)

Thank you.

(BOTH EXHALE)

Let's get this back to where it's needed.

So, do we approve of condoms now?

We...we don't approve of them for contraception,

but we do approve of them as a way to prevent disease.

(BOTH GIGGLE)

Hey. Heading home? To work.

Where's work? Surry Hills.

Oxford Street? Maybe.

Hey. What's the rush?

I'm a virgin.

Yeah, and I'm the Wizard of Oz.

Nice try, Dorothy.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(SIGHS)

You're not working tonight? Uh, serving drinks here instead.

Gin and tonic? Sure.

We have more skulls than before.

That is, uh, Lucy.

She was a Hollywood talent agent from the '30s

who was cryogenically frozen, but something went terribly wrong.

Voila. Thanks.

Hey. Wait.

What's going on with your face? Oh, it's nothing.

I wanna see. No, really.

I'm fine.

Hey. Hey. Let me see.

What...

You alright?

Let me.

Who did this? Doesn't matter.

I'm not gonna change who I am...

..no matter what they do to me.

Good.

(SIGHS)

At first only a problem among homosexual men,

with the deaths of babies after blood transfusions,

AIDS has spread into the blood supply,

prompting new fears about the threat to the wider community.

I'm joined by Jeremy Wilding, National Health Minister.

Mr Wilding, good evening.

Good evening, Trish. It's good to be here.

Why has the Commonwealth Government bowed to pressure

from radical homosexuals?

(WHISPERS) Oh, come on.

All of the evidence suggests that we will cope best with AIDS

by having a cooperative relationship

between government and the gay community.

Now, I know there's a lot of fear and paranoia out there.

But the fear is justified, isn't it, with no vaccine, no treatment?

Which is why we're doing everything we can,

funding research and working with the public.

Speaking of the funding you're giving to community groups...

Yes.

..we have some examples of how that money is being spent,

many of them too graphic to show on television,

but here are some of the less explicit ones.

By any standard, this is pornography.

(ALL CHEER) Alright!

Am I famous? I'm famous! Yes! You're famous!

(SCREAMS)

I'm not going to pretend that I don't find it confronting. I do.

What do you say to those who call this 'gay propaganda'?

Let me be clear. This is not gay propaganda.

It's a sophisticated approach to health education.

Graphic depictions of genitalia and sex?

(GROUP CHEERS AND WHOOPS)

Love it. More, please.

It's information.

We're putting funding into the hands of the people

being clobbered by the virus

so they can communicate amongst themselves.

I don't decide what they say to each other. They do.

With no oversight? We know what we're doing!

All the money is accounted for.

You have Condoman, I believe? Yes, I do think we have that one.

(GROUP CHEERS) Blackfellas leading the way.

(GROUP CHEERS)

Condoman was invented by members

of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland.

It's a fantastic campaign, I fully endorse it and it works.

Is a Labor government running a gay agenda?

Our only agenda is public health.

What do you say to those people

who are calling for HIV-positive gay men to be quarantined?

CREW MEMBER: OK, everyone, we're clear. Thank you.

Alright, we'll reset for the next interview.

You were right. I shouldn't have done this.

No, I was wrong.

You were clear, you had empathy.

You sounded like you didn't want anyone to die.

It's exactly what people want to hear.

Hmm.

Well, let's just hope it pays off.

Congratulations on the election result.

You're still here.

Thank you. Yes.

Three more years to nail the strategy.

You said you wanted to know what people know,

what they think and feel and what they want.

Hold onto your ankles.

People are afraid. First, because of misinformation.

OK.

Plenty of people still think you can get AIDS from kissing.

A significant number of people believe or suspect

you can get it from a toilet seat or a telephone,

swimming pools, teacups, mosquitoes.

So, let's call that 'fear around transmission'.

Then there's the disinformation coming at people

from some of the more extreme commentators,

and what complicates that is half the people hate you

because you're the red team.

Exactly why we've been taking a multiparty approach.

Clearly, that message is yet to cut through.

Go on.

You said you wanted to know what people want, so here goes.

They want AIDS brought under control.

The people are not stupid or cruel, it turns out,

despite the fear and misinformation.

They want you to do whatever you have to do.

They want objective, truthful information

from someone that they trust.

I see.

Extrapolating from that,

they don't trust the people who have been delivering the message so far.

Yes.

We could always discuss this further over dinner, if you like.

That's a kind offer, but I can't. I'm working late tonight.

And every night.

Good luck.

GREG ON RECORDING: Greg. PHIL ON RECORDING: And this is...

GABE ON RECORDING: Gabe. We're sorry we missed you.

We can't answer now, but leave your name and number right at this...

(BEEP!)

It's, uh... It's me.

It's David. Message for Gabe.

I wanna see you.

Can we meet? Um, when I'm in Sydney, obviously.

Catch up, have a drink. Something. Anything.

I just...

(SIGHS) You have my number.

(WOMAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY OVER PHONE)

I'm sorry too.

Yes, it's flat-out.

Will you be back next weekend?

I'll definitely be back next weekend.

I miss you very much.

Well, I hope the kids feel the same.

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

Uh, yes, of course.

OK. (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

Hey, mister. BOY OVER PHONE: Hi, Dad.

I hear you're in the semifinals. That's great.

Are you gonna be there next Saturday?

Well, I'll try and swing it, see you thrash those Eagles.

Oh, great, you're early.

We just lost a set of hands,

so we could use your expert pamphlet-folding skills.

I don't have a job anymore. I resigned.

What?

I thought we agreed.

We did agree, Mish.

We need the money right now. You know that.

There's the new phone lines.

The power bill's not gonna pay itself.

Can you not do this? Can you not go all activist right now?

We have to have an income. Is that what I am? The income?

You get to occupy the moral high ground while I remain a wage slave?

Oh, this is bullshit. Really?

Because I know how much you like being the centre of the revolution.

People are relying on us.

We have both made a commitment together

to provide something reliable.

I know, but this is not about them and it is not about you.

This is fucked.

Do not walk away from me.

I'm not walking away. I'm walking over there to order us some drinks.

I left my job because I didn't want to give them the satisfaction

of firing me

and I just need a second where you show me that you give a shit.

You know I do. Yeah.

There's this kid at school.

He's gay, he's terrified and he asked for my help

and so I gave him one of our flyers.

And his parents were snooping through his room

and they found it and they demanded to know where he got it,

so, of course, the poor kid told them

and then they went straight to the principal.

And the private schools, they all talk to each other,

so, it's like my career is done and no-one's gonna touch me now.

I just really loved those kids.

Sweetheart.

We're gonna be OK.

I don't know. (SNIFFLES)

You do know.

The research is in.

People don't trust politicians, but they don't trust doctors either

like these ones here on the task force.

So, the Department's going to broaden its resources,

bring in new people.

Another advisory body?

How's that going to work?

It's a rapidly evolving situation, Mitchell.

You approached us as the leading haematologists

and epidemiologists and immunologists.

Yes.

We're talking about a viral agent, a multitude of diseases.

You have a handpicked stable of medical experts,

but you wanna get your advice somewhere else?

Mitchell, you are indispensable.

I need you all very much,

but we need to bring the rest of the community to the table,

so we're making the table bigger.

Who would be on this advisory group?

Uh, we'll invite representatives of the States,

the blood banks, the Medical Association, haemophiliacs,

uh, gay community groups, IV drug users and sex workers.

Anyone else? The trade unions.

You're inviting the cause of the problem to sit at that table?

You can't blame the trade unions for AIDS.

I'm not the only one who feels this way.

You have so many community organisations.

Every five minutes, there's a new one.

It's enough.

All I've heard so far is you're offended

and there are too many groups.

What does an IV drug user know about medical policy?

It's not a medical problem.

It's a social one. Our polling clearly shows...

All those interests in one organisation?

(SCOFFS SOFTLY)

I can't see it working.

With all due respect, you're wrong.

And with even greater respect,

it's not the Minister's job to convince you of anything.

So, who's going to lead this tambourine caravan of yours?

There was something in the polling,

something about mothers.

Uh...

Mothers are having the conversations,

worried about husbands and children.

Alright, then, we need a mother.

Someone everybody already knows.

Someone like the woman in the Panadol ad.

Someone from 'Play School'. They're actors.

I know they're actors. Someone with gravitas.

Maggie Tabberer? Carla Zampatti?

(GROANS)

What about Caroline McGarvey?

Wasn't she behind some of the more, shall we say, unhelpful headlines

when AIDS first appeared?

She knows how to get attention.

Everyone knows who she is. People trust her.

I don't know anything about her

beyond the fact that she's a journalist.

Caroline McGarvey has the intellectual grunt.

She can boil down a complex idea into a simple argument.

It's audacious, but when she talks, the conversation changes.

(CHUCKLES) Who's gonna disagree with her?

We have to get this right.

We need an open and frank conversation with Australia.

She'll give us that.

Will it look like a stunt? Not at all.

She can talk to CEOs and people in supermarket queues

and everyone in between.

That's what we need.

The medicos will hate us putting a female journalist at the top.

(HALF-LAUGHS)

Especially Mitchell.

Are these the HIV results? Yep.

(DANCE MUSIC PLAYS)

PERFORMER: Hi, everyone. Eyes on me.

Alright, darlings, shut the hell up!

Said with love. (AUDIENCE LAUGHS)

I'm handing over to our darling Cupid.

You all know him. His real name's Liam, but that's not his fault.

(AUDIENCE LAUGHS)

Because we've got a special event.

Hey! (AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Hi, everyone!

It's so great to see all of you here.

Tonight, the door charge is gonna buy a TV for Ian Thwaite

who can't get out of bed.

Um, a lot of you know him. (AUDIENCE CHEERS, APPLAUDS)

We've all been dealing with sick and dying friends,

um, and now it's not safe for us to walk the streets.

(AUDIENCE BOOS)

But we have some good news.

Um, Betty at the bar over there... (AUDIENCE CHEERS)

..rounded up some of her girlfriends

and they are offering a ride home on their bikes

to anyone who would like an escort.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Um, and I just...

I quickly want to thank, um, everyone

who is working so tirelessly behind the scenes for us as well.

Um, we see you.

Um, uh, that's it. (GIGGLES)

Alright, get off my stage now. (AUDIENCE LAUGHS)

This one's for all our angels.

(SINGS) # Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth? #

(CHEERING) # Ooh, heaven is a place on earth

# They say in heaven, love comes first... #

Hi.

# We'll make heaven a place on earth

# When the night falls down

# I wait for you and you come around

# And the world's alive

# With the sound of kids on the street outside

# When you walk into the room

# You pull me close and we start to move

# And we're spinnin' with the stars above

# And you lift me up in a wave of love

# Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth?

# Ooh, heaven is a place on earth

# They say in heaven, love comes first

# We'll make heaven a place on earth

# Ooh, heaven is a place on earth

# Heaven

# In this world, we're just beginnin'

# To understand the miracle of livin'

# Baby, I was afraid before... #

Gabe! Why are you making me chase you? Gabe, just stop!

Hi, David.

Hi.

Look, I know I haven't... I was...

I said some shitty things.

(STAMMERS) And you're angry.

Yes, you have every right to be.

I just...

I miss you.

I miss your face. I miss everything.

Please come back to me.

I had to go to the hospital.

I have cytomegalovirus.

It's an infection. You get it from cats.

From cats?

You get it if your immune system doesn't work.

(SOBS)

Hey, you're Caroline McGarvey. Guilty.

Your poofter friends deserve to die.

Don't you fuckin' call me an arsehole!

Fuck off! Do you love me?

Maybe I didn't tell you because I don't want a nurse.

I want my boyfriend.

We have a choice.

Death in the hundreds

or death in the hundred of thousands.

I'm not gonna let this thing take me.

(CORK POPS) DEB: To all the beautiful boys.

We don't need to hold people's hands.

We need to scare the shit out of them!

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation