Miss Bartlett Condemns Contraceptive Instruction (Press, 28 April 1976)

On 27 April 1976, Patricia Bartlett from the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards presented submissions to the Royal Commission on contraception, sterilisation, and abortion, advocating for stricter regulations on contraceptive instruction for children under the age of 16. Bartlett argued that existing prohibitions under Section 2 of the Police Offences Amendment Act were insufficient, specifically citing a previous case in 1972 where no action was taken against a seminar that provided contraceptive education to both adults and children. This seminar had featured detailed lectures and materials on contraception, which Bartlett claimed could lead to negative societal impacts. Bartlett proposed that the law should not only clarify the prohibition of instructing children in contraceptive methods but also increase the penalties associated with such violations to make them a more effective deterrent. To support her claims, she referenced statistics from countries including Sweden, Denmark, and Britain, suggesting that teaching contraceptive methods to teenagers had resulted in increased rates of illegitimacy, venereal disease, and abortions. Additionally, Bartlett called for amendments to the Crimes Act to define the unborn child as a human being from conception, asserting that the penalties for abortion should be significantly heightened. She expressed strong disapproval of the Hospital Amendment Act of 1975, labelling it a “national disaster,” and warned against any modifications to the existing legal framework surrounding abortion. Bartlett’s submission further addressed sterilisation, opposing the idea of publicly funding sterilisation procedures, which she argued should only be allowed in the case of serious medical conditions. She highlighted the ethical implications of sterilising individuals with disabilities, characterising such actions as dehumanising and comparing it to the treatment of animals. In summary, Bartlett's submissions sought to strengthen legal limitations on contraceptive education for minors, redefine the status of the unborn child, and oppose public funding for sterilisation, emphasising a protectionist view towards child welfare and the sanctity of life.

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