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|last=Wright |firstinit=JE |author-link= |etal=no |title=Non-therapeutic circumcision |trans-title= |language= |journal=Med J Aust location= |date=1967-05-27 |volume=1 |issue= |pages=1083-7 |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/general/wright4/ |quote= |pubmedID=6028342 |pubmedCID= |DOI= |accessdate=2019-10-28 }}</ref>
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The Queensland Law Reform Commission (1993) researched the legality of non-therapeutic circumcision of children. The commission concluded:
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</blockquote>
==Circumcision The [[Sixth International Symposium]] on Genital Integrity convened in [https://www.wesleycollege-usyd.edu.au/ Wesley College] at the 21st Century=={{UNI|University of Sydney|USYD}}, Sydney, {{AUSC|NSW}}, Australia on December 7-9, 2000. Professor [[Gregory J. Boyle]] gave the keynote address.
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Na The [[RACP]], a [[medical trade association]], retired this [http://www.intactaus.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/RACP-statement.pdf 2010 statement] in December 2022, when it issued a new statement that was ''not''an improvement. [[Robert Darby|Darby]] (2011) collected circumcision statistics from the various Australian states and territories. Darby reported a high rate of 17.3 percent in New South Wales in 2010 and a low of 1.5 percent in Tasmania in the same year. Other states fell in between.<ref>{{REFjournal |last=Darby |first=Robert |init=R |author-link=Robert Darby |etal=no |title=Infant circumcision in Australia: a preliminary estimate, 2000–10 |journal=Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |location= |date=2011 |volume=35 |issue=4 |pages=391-2 |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1753-6405.2011.00746.x |quote= |pubmedID=21806736 |pubmedCID= |DOI=10.1111/j.1753-6405.2011.00746.x |accessdate=2011-11-02}}</ref> Sliwinski et al. (2014) of the Department of Urology at the {{UNI|University of Melbourne|UM}} reported a case of [[Fournier gangrene]] in a 24-year-old man who had an elective non-therapeutic circumcision for “prophylactic hygiene reasons”. There was extensive debridement of infected tissue, which resulted in deficit of skin which was resolved by the use of a pedicle flap from the anterior abdominal wall, after which the patient recovered.<ref>{{REFjournal |last=Sliwinsk |init=A |last2=Kavanagh |init2=LE |last3=Bolton |init3=D |last4=Lawrentschuk |init4=N |last5=Crock |init5=JG |etal=no |title=Fournier’s gangrene - delayed pedicle flap based upon the anterior abdominal wall |journal=Int Braz J urol |date=2014 |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=423-6 |url=https://www.scielo.br/j/ibju/a/TC3tkRhqGS8577ywNNkJ8dj/?lang=en |pubmedID=25010310 |pubmedCID= |DOI=10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2014.03.18 |accessdate=2022-01-18}}</ref> Na et al''. (2015) considered whether Australian boys should be [[circumcised]]. They concluded: <blockquote>In conclusion, although there is a benefit of circumcision in those with urogenital tract anomalies, in a healthy newborn,the disease in the foreskin is non-existent. There is insufficient scientific evidence to support routine newborn circumcision in Australia done for UTI risk and [[HIV ]] transmission issues alone. Therefore, any surgical complication and financial cost of routine newborn circumcision for these reasons in Australia currently cannot be justified. From a medical point of view, the‘price’ is still too high.<ref name="na2015">{{REFjournal
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Oddly enough, The federal Medicare programme still pays a subsidy of AU$35.45 for </blockquote> [[Circumcision Information Australia]] (2020) called non-therapeutic circumcisionin Australia "now pretty much a thing of the past."<ref>{{REFweb |url=http://www9www.circinfo.org/index.php |title=Circumcision in Australia |accessdate=2020-12-14}} </ref> [[Circumcision Law Reform]] (2024) reports that about 22,000 circumcisions are performed in Australia each year, of which 15,000 to 18,000 are performed on minor patients.health<ref>{{REFweb |url=https://circumcisionlawreform.org/about/ |title=CLR |last=Anonymous |first= |init= |publisher=Circumcision Law Reform |date= |accessdate=2024-02-03}}</ref> The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported 154,281 male births in 2022.<ref>{{REFweb |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/mbsstatistics/people/population/births-australia/latest-release |title=Births, Australia |last=Anonymous |first= |init= |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=2023-10-18 |accessdate=2024-02-03}}</ref> This provides an estimated incidence of medically-unnecessary, injurious circumcision of 9.7 percent to 11.6 percent. However, traditional male genital mutilation remains popular among [[Aborigines]] in the Northern Territory where it is supported by the local government.<ref>{{REFnews |url=https://fullDisplaywww.abc.net.cfm?typeau/news/2014-01-22/nt-elders-concede-to-mistakes-in-ritual-circumcision/5213526 |title=Anger in NT community after circumcision rite ends with three boys airlifted to hospital |last= Hermant |first=Norman |last2=McClymon |first2=item&qAlison |publisher=30654&qtABC News |date=item2014-01-22 |accessdate=2021-11-19}}</ref> === Circumcision death === A Seville Grove, {{AUSC|WA}} Muslim family presented two brothers for elective non-therapeutic circumcision surgery at Gosnells Medical Clinic (A medical clinic populated by Muslims) on 7 December 2021. The healthy two-year-old was circumcised at [http://www.gosnellsmedicalclinic.com.au/ Gosnells Medical Clinic] in Gosnells, {{AUSC|WA}}, on 7 December 2021. His healthy seven-month-old brother also had a non-therapeutic circumcision on the same date. The two circumcisions were performed by family doctor and general practitioner Dr. [[Raad Hassan]]. Opinions about Dr. Hassan are mixed.<ref>{{REFweb |url=https://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/3198480/Dr-Raad-Hassan-Perth-WA.html/ |title=Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 30654Dr. Raad Hassan
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→History: Add text and citation.
[[File:Flag_of_Australia.svg|thumb|150px|Flag of Australia]]== Australia and circumcision == '''Australia''', like other English-speaking countries, once had a rather high rate of non-therapeutic neonatal [[circumcision ]] of male infants, however Australia (2019) now has a very low rate of non-therapeutic neonatal circumcision.Consequently, the [[circumcised]] males are concentrated in the older age groups. As they pass away and are replaced by younger [[intact]] males, the prevalence of [[circumcised]] men is diminishing. Circumcised males are now in the minority in Australia and have been at least since 2011.<ref name="cozijn2013">{{REFweb |url=http://www.circinfo.org/statistics.html |title=Incidence and prevalence of circumcision in Australia |trans-title= |language= |last=Cozijn |first=John |author-link= |publisher=Circumcision Information Australia |website=circinfo.org |date=2013 |accessdate=2020-01-26 |format= |quote=}}</ref> The percentage of [[circumcised]] males in Australia (prevalence) is reported to be 26.6%.<ref>{{REFweb |url=https://circstatistics.github.io/ |title=Global Circumcision Statistics and Estimates |last= |first= |init= |publisher=https://circstatistics.github.io |date=2024-04-01 |accessdate=2024-04-01}}</ref>
==History==
The indigeous indigenous people of Australia, the [[Aborigines]], have variously practiced [[Religion and culture#Australia| subincision]] and [[circumcision]] since before the first contact with Europeans.
The incidence of non-therapeutic neonatal [[circumcision ]] in Australia approached that of the [[United States ]] in the 1930s through 1960s.
[[Douglas Gairdner]]'s famous, classic 1949 paper, ''The Fate of the Foreskin: A Study of Circumcision'',<ref name="gairdner1949">{{GairdnerDM 1949}}</ref> seems to have had no effect in Australia. However, criticism of the practice of non-therapeutic circumcision accelerated in 1967. The Melbourne Paediatric Society held a meeting on 12 November 1952 at which Dr. John Begg read a paper, "''Why Circumcise''" in which the practice of child circumcision was questioned.<ref>{{REFjournal |last=GairdnerMedical Societies |firstinit=Douglas M. |titleauthor-link=The fate of the foreskin: a study of circumcision |journallast2=British Medical Journal |volumeinit2=2 |issueauthor2-link=4642 |pages=1433-1437 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nihcirp.govorg/pmcnews/articles1953/PMC2051968/pdf/brmedj036561953-04-000925_medjaust.pdfphp |title=Why Circumcise? |quotejournal=Med J Aust |pubmedIDdate=1953-04-25 |volume=154082991 |pubmedCIDissue=205196817 |DOIpages=10.1136/bmj.2.4642.1433603-04 |datepubmedID=194913062881 |accessdate=20192024-1011-2811}}</ref> seems to have had no effect in Australia.
Morgan (1967) criticised non-therapeutic [[circumcision ]] in a letter published in the ''Medical Journal of Australia''.<ref>{{REFjournal
|last=Morgan
|firstinit=WKC |author-link=
|etal=No
|title=Penile plunder
|journal=Med J Aust
|date=1967
|volume=1
|pages=1102-3
|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/general/morgan2/
|pubmedID=4226264
|pubmedCID=
|accessdate=2019-10-31
}}</ref>
Wright (1967) slammed the practice of non-therapeutic circumcision.<ref name="wright1967">{{REFjournal
The ''Australian Paediatric Journal'' issue of June 1970, published three articles critical of non-therapeutic infant [[circumcision]].<refname="leitch1970">{{REFjournal
|last=Leitch
|first=I.O. |author-linkinit=IO
|etal=no
|title=Circumcision: the continuing enigma
|journal=Aust Paediatr J
|date=1970-03
|volume=6
|pages=59-65
|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/general/leitch1/
|pubmedID=5535347
|accessdate=2019-10-27
}}</ref><ref>{{REFjournal
|last=Birrell
|first=R.G. |author-linkinit=RG
|etal=no
|title=Circumcision
|journal=Aust Paediatr J
|date=1960-06
|volume=6
|issue=2
|pages=66-7
|pubmedID=5527602
|accessdate=2019-10-27
}}</ref><ref>{{REFjournal
|last=Smith
|first=E.D. |author-linkinit=ED
|etal=no
|title=Another view of circumcision
|journal=Aust Paediatr J
|date=1970-06
|volume=6
|issue=2
|pages=67-9
|pubmedID=5527603
|pubmedCID=
|accessdate=2019-10-27
}}</ref>
The [[intact]], foreskinned boy had already become the norm in Australia when Simpson & Baraclough (1998) published advice on the care of intact, [[foreskinned]] boys.<ref name="simpson1998">{{REFjournal
|last=Simpson
|first=Errol T.
|init=ET
|author-link=
|last2=Baraclough
|first2=Phillip
|init2=P
|author2-link=
|etal=no
|title=The management of the paediatric foreskin
|trans-title=
|language=
|journal=Aust Fam Physician
|location=
|date=1998
|volume=27
|issue=5
|pages=381-3
|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/hygiene/simpson1/
|quote=Minor foreskin related complaints are very common in the first few years of life. Most of these can be managed with advice and reassurance, or with medical treatment alone. Circumcision is very rarely indicated in young boys, particularly under the age of 5 years.
|pubmedID=9613002
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=
|accessdate=20192023-1012-2717
}}</ref>
==Position statements of medical societies==
After considering the three papers published in the ''Australian Paediatric Journal'', the [http://auspaediatrics.com.au/ Australian Paediatric Society] adopted a resolution on 24 April 24, 1971 that the circumcision of male infants should not be performed as a routine measure. That resolution subsequently was reported in a letter by Belmaine Bellmaine published in the ''Medical Journal of Australia'' on 22 May 22, 1971.<ref name="belmaine1971bellmaine1971">{{REFjournal |last=BelmaineBellmaine |firstinit=SP |author-link=
|title=Circumcision
|journal=Medical Journal of Australia
|date=1971-05-22
|volume=1
|pages=1148
|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/statements/apa1971/
}}</ref>
The incidence of non-therapeutic child [[circumcision ]] in Australia started to decline after the publication of the Belmaine (1971) letter. By 1978, only 50 percent of newborn boys were being circumcised. The [[Australasian Association of Paediatric Surgeons]] (1996) in an official statement, called "routine" (i.e. non-therapeutic) circumcision "inappropriate and unnecessary."<ref name=leditschke1996>{{REFdocument |title=Guidelines for Circumcision |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/statements/aaps/ |last=Leditschke |first=J. Fred |author-link= |publisher=Australasian Association of Paediatric Surgeons |format= |date=1996 |accessdate=2021-11-07}}</ref>
The incidence of circumcision continued to decline, so that by 1996, when the Australian College of Paediatrics issued a statement, it reported that the incidence of "routine" (i.e. non-therapeutic) circumcision was estimated at ten percent of newborn boys.<ref name-"acp1996>{{REFweb
|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/statements/acp1996/
|title=Routine circumcision of normal male infants and boys
|last=Statement
|publisher=Australian College of Paediatrics
|date=1996-05-27
|accessdate=2019-10-28
}}</ref>
The ''Australian Medical Association'' (2003) issued a warning (based on the Spilsbury paper)<ref name="spilsbury2003">{{REFjournal
|last=Spilbury
|init=K
|last2=Semmens
|init2=JB
|last3=Wisniewski
|init3=ZB
|etal=no
|title=Circumcision for phimosis and other medical indications in Western Australian boys
|journal=Med J Aust
|date=2003-02-17
|volume=17
|issue=4
|pages=155-8
|url=https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2003/178/4/circumcision-phimosis-and-other-medical-indications-western-australian-boys
|pubmedID=12580740
|DOI=0.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05130.x
|accessdate=2021-12-16
}}</ref> that circumcision to treat phimosis in boys is usually unnecessary.<ref name="ama2003">{{REFweb
|url=https://www.ama.com.au/media/warning-unnecessary-child-circumcision
|title=Warning on unnecessary child circumcision
|last=Tokley
|first=Judith
|publisher=Australian Medical Association
|date=2003-02-13
|accessdate=2021-12-16
}}</ref>
The <i>Australian Medical Association</i> (2007) said it would support laws to ban the non-essential [[circumcision]] of infant boys.<ref>{{REFnews
|title=Doctors back call for circumcision ban
|url=https://www.cirp.org/news/2007/2007-12-09_abc.php
|last=Anonymous
|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation
|website=
|date=2007-12-09
|accessdate=2024-07-27
|format=
|quote=
}}</ref>
==Non-therapeutic circumcision and Australian law===== International human rights law ===Australia is a state-party to the United Nations ''[https://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CCPR.aspx Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]'' (1966) and to the United Nations ''[https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx Convention on the Rights of the Child]'' (1989), both of which provide various [[human rights ]] to children, which are violated by non-therapeutic child circumcision. === Australian domestic law ===The legality of non-therapeutic circumcision of boys has been considered several times.
The [https://www.qlrc.qld.gov.au/ Queensland Law Reform Commission] (1993) researched the legality of non-therapeutic circumcision of boys has been considered several timeschildren.The Commission concluded:
<blockquote>
The common law operating in Queensland appears to be that if the young person is unable, through lack of maturity or other disability, to give effective consent to a proposed procedure and if the nature of the proposed treatment is invasive, irreversible and major surgery and for non-therapeutic purposes, then court approval is required before such treatment can proceed. The court will not approve the treatment unless it is necessary and in the young person's best interests. The basis of this attitude is the respect which must be paid to an individual's bodily integrity.<ref name="qlrc1993">{{REFdocument
|title=Circumcision of Male Infants Research Paper
|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/legal/QLRC/
|publisher=Queenland Law Reform Commission
|date=1993
|accessdate=2019-10-31
}}</ref></blockquote>
[[Davis Richards ]] (1996) discussed non-therapeutic circumcision of boys. He concluded:
<blockquote>
Ritual male circumcision is non-therapeutic and is not warranted or justified by medical evidence. This form of mutilation should not be legally distinguished from female circumcision which is a form of female genital mutilation presently in the process of being prohibited throughout Australia and the Western world. As ritual male circumcision is non-therapeutic, may be against public policy, and clearly is not in the best interests of the child, a parent's consent may be vitiated, leaving persons involved in the procedure liable in negligence, notwithstanding parental religious beliefs. Alternatively, if a medical practitioner fails to give the parent reasonable information on the risks of and alternatives to ritual circumcision, the practitioner may also be liable in negligence.<ref name="richards1996">{{REFjournal
|last=Richards
|first=David
|init=D
|author-link=
|title=Male Circumcision: Medical or Ritual?
</blockquote>
Professor [[J. Neville Turner |Neville Turner]] (1996) reported that [[circumcised ]] boys may sue their circumciser.<ref name="turner1996">{{REFjournal
|last=Turner
|first=J. Neville |init=JN |author-link=J. Neville Turner
|title=Circumcised boys may sue
|journal=The Health Law Update (Australia)
}}</ref>
[[Gregory J. Boyle| Boyle '']] et al''. (2000) suggested that non-therapeutic circumcision of boys is "criminal assault." They concluded:
<blockquote>
Enforced non-therapeutic genital cutting of unconsenting minors is overdue for recognition by the legal community as sexual mutilation. As we enter the 21st Century, appropriate legal action must be taken to safeguard the physical [[genital integrity ]] of male children.<ref>{{REFjournalBoyleGJ SvobodaJS PriceCP TurnerJN 2000}}</ref> |last=Boyle</blockquote> |first=Gregory J |authorThe ''Tasmanian Law Reform Institute'' recommended in a [https://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/302829/Non-Therapuetic-Circ_Final-Report-August-2012.pdf 101-page report] that non-link=Gregory Boyletherapeutic circumcision of boys be made unlawful in Tasmania.<ref>{{REFnews |last2title=SvobodaTasmania moves a step closer to circumcision ban |first2url=J Steven |author2https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/tasmania-moves-a-step-closer-to-circumcision-ban-20120821-link=J24ju9. Steven Svobodahtml |last3last=PriceDarby |first3first=Christopher PAndrew |author3-linkpublisher=Sydney Morning Herald |last4website=Turner |first4date=Neville |author42012-08-link=21 |etalaccessdate=no2021-09-23 |titlequote=Circumcision Costs of Healthy Boys: Criminal Assault?the procedure included significant [[pain]], and a potential reduction in sexual pleasure.…"Trauma from circumcision in childhood can also have a long lasting and significant effect on a person's mental health," the report said. |trans-title=}}</ref> |language= |journal=J Law Med |location= |date=2000Grace Gunn (2019) argues that non-02 |volumetherapeutic circumcision of boys should be prohibited in New South Wales.<ref name=7 |issue= |pages=301-10"gunn2019">{{REFweb |url=httphttps://www.cirpacademia.orgedu/library/legal/boyle115677989/SHOULD_NON-THERAPEUTIC_MALE_CIRCUMCISION_BE_PROHIBITED_IN_NSW_WHY?email_work_card=view-paper |title=Should Non-Therapeutic Male Circumcision be Prohibited in NSW? |quotelast=Gunn |pubmedIDfirst=Grace |pubmedCIDwebsite=Academia |DOIdate=2019 |accessdate=2019-1012-3101
}}</ref>
Despite the criticism in the above referenced papers, there has been no legislative or judicial action to protect boys in Australia from medically-unnecessary , non-therapeutic [[circumcision]]. == Circumcision in the 21st Century ==
The several Australian states operate public hospitals. By 2008 all public hospitals ''Sydney Morning Herald'' reported on the decline in all states no longer offer non-therapeutic circumcision to patientsof boys in Australia early in the 21st Century.<ref>{{REFnews |title=You can leave your hat on, boys, but it's not cut and dried |url=http://www.cirp.org/news/smh10-29-01/ |last=Robotham |first=Julie |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |website= |date=2001-10-29 |accessdate=2019-11-06 |quote=}}</ref>
The several Australian states operate public hospitals. By 2008 all public hospitals in all states no longer offered non-therapeutic [[circumcision]] to patients.<ref>{{REFnews |title=Cosmetic circumcision banned |url=http://www.cirp.org/news/theadvertiser2007-11-12/ |last=Pengelley |first=Jill |publisher=The Advertiser |website= |date=2007-12-09 |accessdate=2019-11-06 |quote=CIRCUMCISION will be banned in the state's public hospitals unless it is for medical reasons.}}</ref> As the incidence of non-therapeutic circumcision has declined, the incidence of infant deaths and [[SIDS ]] deaths has also declined, while the overall health of Australia's children has improved.<ref>{{REFbook
|last=Eldridge
|first=Deanna
|author-linkinit=D
|last2=Macdonald
|first2=Malcolm
|author2-linkinit2=M
|year=2009
|title=A Picture of Australia's Children 2009
|url=https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/7f635082-69ca-4709-ae0f-52474a744cd1/phe-112-10704.pdf.aspx?inline=true
|chapter=4
|pages=12-16
|location=Canberra
|publisher=Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
|isbn=SBN 978 1 74024 929 4 |quote=9781740249294
|accessdate=2019-10-19
}}</ref>
The former ''Australian College of Paediatrics '' was merged into the [https://www.racp.edu.au/ [Royal Australasian College of Physicians]] (RACP), which has issued a statement on non-therapeutic child circumcision. The statement (2010) states:
<blockquote>
After reviewing the currently available evidence, the [[RACP ]] believes that the frequency of diseases modifiable by circumcision, the level of protection offered by circumcision and the complication rates of circumcision do not warrant routine infant circumcision in Australia and [[New Zealand]]. However it is reasonable for parents to weigh the benefits and risks of circumcision and to make the decision whether or not to circumcise their sons.
</blockquote>
But the statement also says:
<blockquote>
The option of leaving circumcision until later, when the boy is old enough to make a decision for himself does need to be raised with parents and considered. This option has recently been recommended by the Royal Dutch Medical Association. The ethical merit of this option is that it seeks to respect the child’s physical integrity, and capacity for autonomy by leaving the options open for him to make his own autonomous choice in the future.<ref name="racp2010">{{REFdocument
|title=Circumcision of Infant Males
|url=https://www.racp.edu.au//docs/default-source/advocacy-library/circumcision-of-infant-males.pdf?sfvrsn=eaa32f1a_10
|format=PDF
|date=2010-09-01
</blockquote>
|last=Na
|first=Angelika F. |author-linkinit=AF
|last2=Tanny
|first2=Sharman PTP.T. |author2-linkinit2=SPT
|last3=Hutson
|first3=John M. |author3-linkinit3=JM
|etal=no
|title=Circumcision: Is it worth it for 21st-century Australian boys?
|journal=J Paediatr Child Health
|date=2015
|accessdate=2019-10-29
|volume=51
|pages=580-3
|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jpc.12825
|pubmedID=25683279
|DOI=10.1111/jpc.12825
}}</ref>
</blockquote>
Oddly enough, the [https://www.humanservices.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals?utm_id=9 federal Medicare programme] still pays an inadequate [[third-party payment]] of AU$35.45 for non-therapeutic circumcision.<ref>{{REFweb |url=http://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=30654&qt=item |title=Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 30654 |accessdate=2019-11-02}}</ref> This subsidy exists for political reasons, not medical reasons.<ref name="darby1985">{{REFjournal |last=Darby |first=Robert |init=R |author-link=Robert Darby |etal=no |title=Scientific Advice, Traditional Practices and the Politics of Health-Care: The Australian Debate over Public Funding of Non-Therapeutic Circumcision, 1985 |journal=Hygiea Internationalis |date=2011 |volume=10 |pages=53-73 |url=https://docplayer.net/5261996-.html |accessdate=2019-11-02}}</ref><!-- This information is dubious. On 18 September 2020 the Department of Health announced changes in the Medicare medical benefit schedule. Effective 1 November 2020, claims submitted for circumcision must be for "clinically relevant" circumcision. In other words, non-therapeutic circumcision will no longer be covered and no payment will be made.<ref name="medicare2020">{{REFdocument |url=http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/1C7B3AED38006462CA2585E80009D95C/$File/factsheet-Circumcision-20200918.pdf |title=Circumcision on the MBS |publisher=Australian Government Department of Health |format=PDF |date=2020-09-18 |accessdate=2020-09-27}}</ref>-->===Continuing decline in practice of non-therapeutic circumcision===Na, Tanny & Hutson (2015) discussed the matter of non-therapeutic circumcision of children in Australia. They concluded: <blockquote>There is insufficient scientific evidence to support routine newborn circumcision in Australia done for UTI risk and [[HIV]] transmission issues alone. Therefore, any surgical complication and financial cost of routine newborn circumcision for these reasons in Australia currently cannot be justified. From a medical point of view, the ‘price’ is still too high.<ref name="na2015"/></blockquote> The incidence of non-therapeutic [[circumcision ]] of children in Australia has continued to diminish. [[Circumcision Info Australia| Circumcision Information Australia ]] (2017) reported an incidence of infant circumcision of 9.66 percent in fiscal 2015.<ref>{{REFweb
|url=http://www.circinfo.org/statistics.html
|title=Incidence and prevalence of circumcision in Australia
|first=John
|accessdate=2019-10-28
}}</ref> The majority of living Australian males are [[intact]]. The percentage of living intact males increases year-by-year.
Circumcision Information Australia (CIA) (2018) reported:
<blockquote>
According to a report on SBS,<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/why-is-the-number-of-male-circumcisions-declining-in-australia/7ed6f0f3-23a2-4717-a125-494bd6554b7f
|title=Why is the number of male circumcisions declining in Australia?
|last=Yosufzai
|first=Rashida
|author-link=
|publisher=SBS
|website=
|date=2018-02-19
|accessdate=2021-11-08
|format=
|quote=
}}</ref> Australia’s circumcision rate has fallen by over two thirds over the past decade. According to Medicare figures, there were only 6,309 boys (under 6 months) [[circumcised]] in the 2016/17 financial year, compared with 19,663 in 2007/08. SBS quotes Professor Paul Colditz, head of the Paediatrics and Child Health Division of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, as saying that '''only about 4 per cent of baby boys are being circumcised these days''', “so I guess parents are really making up their own minds on the basis of the available evidence.” He added that there could be some procedures not captured by the Medicare data if performed by religious figures such as [[mohel| Mohels]], but that would be a fairly small number in relation to the 6,000 or so babies [[circumcised]] in the past year. Professor Colditz attributed the sharp decline to two main factors — better informed parents and more fathers not being [[circumcised]] themselves. The number of new fathers (many born in the 1980s and early 90s) who were themselves not [[circumcised]] is increasing, and they are deciding that there is no reason why they should circumcise their own sons. Parents were also making up their own minds by researching available evidence. “We've entered an era where everyone is looking at the evidence and asking, ‘Is this operation worthwhile, will it be effective, what are the risks?'" Professor Colditz said. Parents are assessing the balance between the potential for any benefits against the potential for harm and damage. “I think the whole of society is getting more sophisticated in the way they do this.”<ref>{{REFweb
|url=http://www.circinfo.org/news_2018.html#fall
|title=Foreskins rule! Australians rush to abandon circumcision
|publisher=Circumcision Information Australia
|date=2018
|accessdate=2019-11-06
}}</ref>
|last=
|first=
|init= |publisher=Rate MDs |date= |accessdate=20192024-1102-02}}</ref> This subsidy exists The two boys were discharged to their home after their circumcisions.St. John Ambulance Service was called to the home for the two boys in the evening. A spokeswoman from [https://stjohn.org.au/ St John Ambulance] confirmed the toddler was in a ‘critical condition’ when emergency workers arrived at the home at about 6:30 pm.<ref>{{REFnews |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10287861/Toddler-2-dies-baby-brother-fighting-life-botched-circumcisions.html |title=Likely cause of WA toddler’s death after circumcision revealed |last=Foster |first=Ally |init=A |website=news.com.au |date=2021-12-10 |accessdate=2021-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{REFnews |url=https://olxpraca.com/a-two-year-old-child-from-seville-grove-in-perth-washington-died-after-a-failed-circumcision/ |title=A two-year-old child from Seville Grove in Perth, Western Australia, died after a failed circumcision |publisher=Olx Praca |date=2021-12-09 |accessdate=2021-12-16}}</ref> The two boys were transported to nearby [https://ahs.health.wa.gov.au/ Armadale Hospital]. The seven-month-old boy narrowly survived [[Bleeding| hemorrhage]] after emergency surgery at [https://www.pch.health.wa.gov.au/ Perth Children's Hospital] and spending the night in intensive care.<ref name="white2021">{{REFnews |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10287861/Toddler-2-dies-baby-brother-fighting-life-botched-circumcisions.html |title=Toddler, 2, dies and his baby brother is fighting for life 'after botched circumcisions' as homicide cops are called to investigate |last=White |first=Nic |init=N |publisher=Daily Mail |date=2021-12-08 |accessdate=2021-12-08}}</ref><ref>{{REFnews |url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/toddler-dies-baby-fighting-for political reasons-life-after-allegedly-botched-circumcision-at-perth-medical-clinic/news-story/41628ee49bf89a56d1f244aca7ee13a7 |title=Toddler dies, baby fighting for life after allegedly botched circumcision at Perth medical clinic |website=news.com.au |date=2021-12-08 |accessdate=2021-12-08}}</ref> The two-year-old toddler died from complications of a non-therapeutic [[circumcision]] operation. He was declared dead-on-arrival at [https://emhs.health.wa.gov.au/Hospitals-and-Services/Hospitals/AHS Armadale Hospital] in the late evening of of 7 December. His younger brother was transferred to [https://www.pch.health.wa.gov.au/ Perth Children's Hospital] for emergency surgery to stop the hemorrhage.<ref name="white2021"/> [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-09/boy-dies-after-circumcision-in-perth-southern-suburbs/100687108 The homicide police have referred the death of the two-year-old toddler to the coroner for investigation].<ref name="white2021"/> === AMA warns against circumcision === [https://www.amawa.com.au/news/mark-duncan-smith-elected-as-new-president-of-ama-wa/ Dr Mark Duncan-Smith], the president of the AMA (WA), issued a warning to parents on 10 December 2021 regarding non-therapeutic child [[circumcision]]. Dr. Duncan-Smith said parents should only "follow through with the procedure if there is a valid medical reason." According to Dr Duncan-Smith only about ten percent of boys in Western Australia are now being [[circumcised]].<ref>{{REFnews |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10293843/Circumcision-warning-two-year-old-dies-brother-bleeds-Western-Australia.html |title=Parents are warned against circumcising their children after a toddler, 2, died 'of a reaction to anaesthetic' and his baby brother almost bled out |last=Wondracz |first=Aidan |init=A |publisher=Daily Mail |date=2021-12-09 |accessdate=2021-12-12}}</ref> === RACP issues new circumcision statement ===The [[RACP]], a [[medical trade association]], issued a new 18-page promotional policy statement, entitled ''Circumcision of infant males'', in December 2022.<ref name="RACP2022">{{REFdocument |url=https://www.racp.edu.au//docs/default-source/advocacy-library/racp-circumcision-of-infant-males-position-statement.pdf |title=Circumcision of Infant Males |date=2022-12 |last=RACP |format=PDF |accessdate=2023-11-17}}</ref> The statement failed to mention the circumcision [[death]] in Perth, nor did it mention the advice of Dr. Mark Duncan Smith, then President of the [https://www.ama.com.au/ Australian Medical Association] that infant [[circumcision]] should be done only when a medical indication is present.<ref>{{REFnews |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10293843/Circumcision-warning-two-year-old-dies-brother-bleeds-Western-Australia.html |title=Parents are warned against circumcising their children after a toddler, 2, died 'of a reaction to anaesthetic' and his baby brother almost bled out |last=Wondracz |first=Aidan |init=A |publisher=Daily Mail |date=2021-12-09 |accessdate=2023-11-20}}</ref>=== Doctor-mohel amputates the penis of two boys ===Jewish doctor & ''[[mohel]]'' [[Hershel Goldman]] has amputated the [[penis]] from two boys while performing a [[Brit Milah]] in Victoria. The [https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/ Medical Board of Australia] (2024) has now banned him from performing [[circumcision]].<ref>{{REFnews |title=Top circumcision doctor is banned from performing the operations after amputating two little boys' penises, tribunal hears |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13455661/Circumcision-doctor-Hershel-Goldman-fighting-ban.html |last=Lackey |first=Brett |init= |author-link= |last2= |init2= |author2-link= |publisher=Daily Mail |website= |date=2024-05-24 |accessdate=2024-05-25 |format= |quote=}}</ref> == The current situation in Australia == The [https://auspaediatrics.org.au/ Australian Pædiatric Association] resolved in 1971 "that newborn male infants should not medical reasons, as a routine, be circumcised." This decision was announced in a letter published in the ''Medical Journal of Australia''.<ref name="darby1985bellmaine1971"/> The Australian Pædiatric Association published a second explanatory letter in July 1971.<ref>{{REFjournal |last=DarbyHall |first=Robert |init=G
|author-link=
|etallast2=Bellmaine |first2=yes |titleinit2=Scientific Advice, Traditional Practices and the Politics of HealthSP |author2-Care: The Australian Debate over Public Funding of link= |etal=noNon-Therapeutic |title=Circumcision, 1985
|trans-title=
|language=
|journal=Hygiea InternationalisMed J Aust
|location=
|date=20111971-07-24 |volume=102 |issue=4 |article= |page=223 |pages=53-73 |url=https://docplayerwww.cirp.netorg/library/statements/apa1971/ |archived= |quote= |pubmedID=5093878 |pubmedCID= |accessdate=2023-11-18}}</5261996ref> As stated above, the incidence of non-therapeutic [[circumcision]] of boys declined precipitously after the publication of these letters, so most men under forty-nine are [[intact]]. These [[foreskinned]] men are now becoming fathers. They are aware of the value and functions<ref name="helard2014">{{REFweb |url=http://www.intactaus.htmlorg/information/functionsoftheforeskin/ |title=Functions of the Foreskin |last=Helard |first=Lou |author-link= |publisher=Intact Australia |website= |date=2014-08-01 |accessdate=2020-05-29 |format=
|quote=
}}</ref> of the [[foreskin]], so these [[intact]] fathers usually do not want any son to be [[circumcised]]. Moreover, public hospitals in Australia do not permit the performance of non-therapeutic [[circumcision]].<ref name="tanny2015">{{REFjournal |last=Na |first= |init=AF |author-link= |last2=Tanny |first2= |init2=SPT |author2-link= |last3=Hutson |first3= |init3=JM |author3-link= |etal=no |title=Circumcision: Is it worth it for 21st-century Australian boys? |language= |journal= J Paediatr Child Health |location= |date=2015-06 |volume=51 |issue=6 |article= |page= |pages=580-3 |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jpc.12825 |archived= |quote=Most Australian states withdrew circumcision from the range of free services provided in public hospitals through Medicare funding system. |pubmedID=25683279
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=10.1111/jpc.12825 |accessdate=20192024-1109-0216
}}</ref>
As a consequence, it appears that the efforts of the [[RACP]] to revitalize the [[circumcision industry]] in Australia<ref name="RACP2022" /> may have scant success. The incidence of non-therapeutic [[circumcision]] of boys recently has been variously reported to be 4-10 percent.
[[Foreskinned]] men are in a strong and ever-increasing majority in Australia.
==Parental information==
Raisingchildren.net.au provides excellent information on the care of [[intact]], [[foreskinned]] boys.<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/foreskin
|title=Foreskins and foreskin care
|last=Anonymous
|first=
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=
|date=2021-12-21
|accessdate=2024-09-02
}}</ref>
== Video ==
Circumcision in modern Australia with [[John_Adkison]]
<br>
* <youtube>v=VxSEiJfiL7w</youtube>
{{SEEALSO}}
* [[Australian Circumcision]]
* [[Circumcision Law Reform]]
* [[Australasian Association of Paediatric Surgeons]]
* [[Circumcision Info Australia|Circumcision Information Australia]]
* [[Darbon Institute]]
* [[Foreskin]]
* [[Foreskin revolution]]
* [[Intact Australia]]
* [[New Zealand]]
* [[Royal Australasian College of Physicians]]
* [[Trauma]]
* [[Western Australia Medical Association]]
{{LINKS}}
* {{URLwikipedia|Australia|Australia}}* {{REFnews |title=Victoria stops circumcision in public hospitals |url=https://www.cirp.org/news/2007/2007-08-12_herald-sun.php |last=Hinde |first=Suellen |init= |author-link= |last2=Healey |init2=Kelvin |author2-link= |publisher=Sunday Herald-Sun |website= |date=2007-08-12 |accessdate=2024-07-28 |quote=State Government has ordered the ban, which starts next month, following medical advice that circumcision of baby boys was unnecessary.}}* {{REFnews |title=South Australia Bans Non-therapeutic Male Circumcision |url=https://www.cirp.org/news/2007/2007-11-12_theadvertiser.php |last=Pengelley |first=Jill |init= |author-link= |publisher=Adelaide Advertiser |website= |date=2007-11-12 |accessdate=2024-07-28 |quote=In the past financial year, 274 circumcisions were performed on children in the state's public hospitals. SA is the last state to take a stand against circumcision. "Both nationally and overseas, doctors agree there is no medical benefit to routine circumcision with the procedure as low as 2 per cent in the UK," Mr Hill said.}}* {{REFweb |url=https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/childrens-rights |title=Children's Rights |last=Anonymous |first= |init= |publisher=Australian Human Rights Commission |date=2023-10-27 |accessdate=2024-02-06}}* {{REFweb |url=https://www.cirp.org/library/legal/Australia/ |title=Legal Information about non-therapeutic male circumcision in Australia. |last=Hill |first=George |init= |publisher=Circumcision Information Reference Library |date=2002-10-23 |accessdate=2023-08-26}}
* {{REFweb
|url=http://www.circumstitions.com/Australia.html
|title=Circumcision in Australia
|last=Young
|first=Hugh
|init=H |author-link=Hugh Young
|publisher=Circumstitions
|date=2013
|accessdate=2019-10-28
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=http://www.circinfo.org/index.php
|title=Circumcision Information Australia
|transaccessdate=2019-10-28}}* {{REFweb |url=http://www.intactaus.org/ |title=Intact Australia |last=Hely |languagefirst=Lou |website=Intact Australia |date=2014-08-01 |accessdate=2019-11-17}}* {{REFweb |url=http://www.foreskinrevolution.com/ |title=Foreskin Revolution |last=Winnel |first=Michael |accessdate=2019-11-06}}* {{REFweb |url=https://15square.org.uk/2019/07/16/circumcision-in-australia/ |title=Circumcision in Australia |last=Smith |first=David |init=D |author-link=David Smith |publisher=15 Square
|website=
|date= |update=2019-07-16 |accessdate=2019-1011-2806
|format=
|quote=
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=http://aiga.org.au/home2/
|title=Australia Institute for Genital Autonomy
|date=2013-05
|accessdate=2019-11-21
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://intactivistsofaustralasia.wordpress.com/
|title=Intactivists of Australasia
|date=2021-05-19
|accessdate=2022-07-07
}}
[[Category:Circumcision]]
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Statistics]]
[[Category:History]]
[[Category:Male circumcision]]
[[de:Australien]]