Minister discusses sex, school and politics

Minister discusses sex, school and politics

By James Basle

CANBERRA — Members of Resistance and the ACT education minister, Bill Woods, failed to get agreement when they discussed a sex information calendar, condom vending machines in high school toilets and Resistance's right to discuss politics with high school students.

Resistance had been banned from high schools after it set up stalls distributing its Fantastic Sex Facts calendar. Teachers were directed to confiscate any copies found on students.

Woods suggested Resistance was "using sex to get an audience", that he was comfortable with the sex education program now available in schools, and that political organisations should not be allowed access to schools. Resistance argued that students had the right to approachable information on their sexuality, and that they had the right to organise politically and hear alternative views.

"If you are 16-18 years old", a Resistance member said, "you can not vote, but politicians can decide to close down your school. We really want young people to be empowered by politics."

Woods said he remembered the "enormously progressive policy of Whitlam reducing the voting age to 18". But he was doubtful about introducing condom vending machines, as condoms were available elsewhere.

From GLW issue 55