The Victorian AIDS council today launched a $70,000 advertising campaign which will focus on:

• gay men using sex-on-premises venues;
• gay men in early parts of their relationships;
• urging gay men to take regular health check ups; and
• alcohol and drugs influencing poor behavioural choices.

John Daye, president of People Living With HIV/AIDS (Victoria), said the new measures were "sorely needed" as HIV/AIDS education and prevention projects were under funded by the previous Kennett government.

Health Minister John Thwaites said there were 198 new HIV cases diagnosed in Victoria in 2000 - the highest figure since 1994.

There were 140 cases in 1999.

"Of those diagnosed, 89 per cent were males, the majority were aged between 20 and 40, and most men identified as homosexual or bisexual," Mr Thwaites said.

There has also been an increase in gonorrhoea cases, which is an international indicator of unsafe sexual practices and a co-factor for HIV transmission.

Mr Thwaites announced a review of the code of conduct for sex-on-premises venues.

A further $80,000 has also been allocated for a HIV case study to investigate the transmission of the deadly virus among homosexually active men.

In addition, 10,000 safe sex packs containing condoms and lubricants would be distributed at gay venues, along with safe sex posters in ultraviolet ink that wouldn't be missed in the dark.

Mr Daye backed the health minister's claims that the new figures were a result of a "complacent" attitude within the gay community.

"People's estimations of risk have reduced dramatically because of an increased life expectancy and the availability of treatment," Mr Daye said.

"People think this is a chronic, manageable disease. But the side-effects of treatment are debilitating and toxic."

Mr Daye said the media had played into past "overselling" of the positive aspects of medical treatment for HIV-positive people.

The new measures come as a result of recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases, which was established last year to tackle the HIV problem.

HIV surveillance would be strengthened while a Gay Periodic Survey would provide valuable information for ongoing prevention campaigns.

Some 1800 homosexually active men were surveyed on sexual practices at last month's Midsumma Festival and the preliminary results are expected early next month.

"Victoria's record in managing HIV/AIDS is excellent with the annual number of new HIV diagnoses declining dramatically from a peak of 528 in 1985, but we can't afford for complacency to creep in," Mr Thwaites said.