On May 28, it was reported that the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists was considering allowing a certain form of female circumcision, involving “ritual nicks”. RANZCOG later said it was a misrepresentation, and that “anyone suspected of performing such genital mutilation should be reported to authorities”, the Sydney Morning Herald said the same day.
But if we reject all forms of female circumcision, why is it that male circumcision remains so acceptable?
Laura Ealing
The prescription of oral contraceptives to a 14-year-old without her parents knowledge has triggered a debate over adolescents access to confidential health care. The student of Bellarine Secondary College in Victoria was taken by a school nurse to a doctor, who prescribed the medication.
When you see the line-up of candidates running for Newcastle council in the September 13 elections, you notice the average demographic is seriously out of whack with that of the region.
A number of student organisations have responded angrily to the revelation that the National Union of Students (NUS) has reneged on agreements to advocate that the government lower the age of “independence” to 18-years-old immediately.
The conservative Christian group Hillsong has launched a controversial new youth program Shine, aimed, it says, at promoting self-esteem in teenage girls considered to be at risk, due to personal problems or behavioural issues.
Yesterday Sergeant Chris Hurley
Walked smooth hair and broad-shouldered from the courtroom.
His stride was confident but his nostrils
flared ever-so-slightly
his face flushed the crude red of triumph
by the all-white jury.
But Mulrunji is dead.
Left to bleed his severed vessels
into his own body until
his life ebbed away
in the red flow.
Did you hear the low sobs of past thousands
echo in the island watchhouse?
And are you watching, Australia?
(What a clever trick)
Because we all got off
when Hurley got off.
@auth poem = by Laura Ealing
Walked smooth hair and broad-shouldered from the courtroom.
His stride was confident but his nostrils
flared ever-so-slightly
his face flushed the crude red of triumph
by the all-white jury.
But Mulrunji is dead.
Left to bleed his severed vessels
into his own body until
his life ebbed away
in the red flow.
Did you hear the low sobs of past thousands
echo in the island watchhouse?
And are you watching, Australia?
(What a clever trick)
Because we all got off
when Hurley got off.
@auth poem = by Laura Ealing