Doctors Oppose Bill (Press, 15 May 1985)

On 15 May 1985, doctors in Hamilton, Waikato, expressed their opposition to the proposed homosexual law reform bill, calling for the Medical Association to take a stand against it due to concerns that it could lead to an AIDS epidemic. Dr Geoffrey Wynne-Jones, a surgeon from Hamilton, initiated a remit for discussion at the Medical Association's annual conference, advocating for the association to support his position. He had previously submitted his concerns to a Parliamentary select committee that was reviewing the legislation. Dr Wynne-Jones argued that AIDS was predominantly a homosexual disease and claimed that the only effective way to prevent its spread was through the restriction of sodomy. He contended that the passage of the bill would lead to an increase in homosexual practices, which, in turn, could facilitate the entry of AIDS into New Zealand and allow it to escalate to epidemic levels. Expressing his worries from a professional perspective, Dr Wynne-Jones cited risks associated with contracting AIDS through needle injuries, an issue of particular significance for surgeons. He noted the potential dangers, referencing instances where surgeons had succumbed to hepatitis from similar incidents. His views received support from the Waikato division of the Medical Association, illustrating a unified stance among some medical professionals in the region against the proposed law reform.

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