Bureaucrat trade mooted

Sydney and San Francisco could foster a bureaucrat exchange program to help respond quickly and effectively to similar problems inside the gay and lesbian community.

City of Sydney councillors Shayne Mallard and Phillip Black returned from an official visit to Sydney’s sister city last week.As well as taking part in that city’s Pride celebrations, they learned about strategies across a range of issues, from HIV to crystal use and anti-violence measures.

Mallard arranged to meet with the heads of a dozen HIV services as well as the city’s Health Commissioner during the six-day trip. He will present a report outlining his findings to next month’s council meeting.

The issues look similar to those in Sydney. But the federal US government did not respond the same way our government did to HIV, so it’s much more community-based, Mallard told Sydney Star Observer.

I approached this with an open mind. You learn a lot from talking with people from different cultures. If they’ve got the same problems or worse, that in itself is something to be aware of.

When health authorities in San Francisco noticed a jump in new HIV infections following a syphilis outbreak, ACON started watching for a similar pattern here.

Mallard said crystal was also a significant problem in San Francisco’s health surveys.

I’m sure ACON is on top of this, but it also helps for political leaders to be briefed on this, people who aren’t ACON and NSW Health, Mallard said.

His report could also lead to an exchange of bureaucrats. If, for example, San Francisco’s response to violence around venues proved successful, it would be possible for that strategy’s architect to consult with City of Sydney staff.

Although Mallard paid for his partner Jasper to join him on the trip, the pair said they would only marry if their extended family were present and it was recognised when he returned home to Australia.