Vic: Bracks admits bungle over HIV case

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2007
Vic: Bracks admits bungle over HIV case

Victorian Premier STEVE BRACKS has admitted a health department bungle .. over a man
charged with deliberately spreading the HIV virus .. could have been handled better.

Mr BRACKS says there's now a requirement for the department's chief executive to be
informed of controversial cases.

The Department of Human Services has come under fire .. for its failure to warn police
of a man accused of spreading HIV.

Health Minister BRONWYN PIKE says chief health officer Dr ROBERT HALL didn't receive
advice from a panel .. recommending 48-year-old MICHAEL JOHN NEAL be isolated from the
community.

NEAL'S been committed to trial on 106 charges alleging he had sex with 16 men between
2000 and 2006 .. when he knew he was infected with HIV.

He denies the allegations.

AAP RTV cmb/gfr/wf/bart

KEYWORD: NEAL BRACKS (MELBOURNE)

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