John F. Kennedy had a great line in his inauguration speech pointing out that civility is not a sign of weakness. Civility is much more than the absence of shouting, much more than the veneer of a smile. It demands that we really listen and try to understand the other point of view, that when we disagree we do so without rancour and that we have respect for the other person despite the fact that they hold a different view.

It is a fairly simple test, but much of what we hear in the media and from some politicians fails that test. The constant denigration of politicians as a class contributes to the diminution of our civil discourse. Of course, when a politician fails to live up to a required standard, that should be pursued vigorously. But what damages all of us is the endless undermining of our democratic institutions by the seemingly daily presentation of politicians as feckless, self-serving users. Is it any wonder that a Lowy Institute poll shows a worrying proportion of young Australians are not enamoured with democracy? The constant denigration undermines the institutions we enjoy and for which people from all corners of the earth are willing to die.

Which brings me to a recent Q&A program on the ABC, which chose to focus on HIV/AIDS. The audience was told in the ‘‘warm up’’ that they might get real answers because there were no serving politicians on the panel. A subtle put down of the political class, but not very.

Former High Court judge Michael Kirby was on the panel (as I was) and he clearly demonstrated Kennedy’s point. Kirby’s politics are his business, but I doubt that anyone would describe him as a rusted-on supporter of the Right. Nonetheless, he was at pains to point out that the Abbott government has made some very helpful policy changes in the HIV/AIDS area. He said one ought to give credit where it is due and that he had noticed how little recognition was given to these positive changes. There wasn’t much recognition at this forum either.

The changes include availability of home-testing kits and community pharmacy access, which the AIDS community had had no success in getting from the former Labor government of six years standing. Less than one year in and the Coalition government has made the move. The changes also include some $200 million to a global fund, which ceased and had not been renewed under Labor.