"It is a great shame that after congratulating the Leader of the Opposition over her pragmatic and evidence-based stance on reproductive and sexual health issues, we should have to reprimand one of her frontline Shadow Cabinet spokespersons." said Craig Young, ALRANZ Research Officer today.

"Exactly what does Hon. Nick Smith mean by "politically correct" anyway? Is this a reference to evidence-based approaches to reproductive and sexual health education? If so, Mr.Smith needs to explain why he objects to this. ALRANZ supports government policy on its moves to promote comprehensive sexuality education in our schools, and Hon. Trevor Mallard, the Minister of Education, has indicated that Section 105C of the Education Act may be scrapped."

"It is one thing for conservative Christian parents to be able to withdraw their children from sex education classes. However, Section 105C permits unrepresentative groups of right-wing parents to sabotage sexuality education classes if its content does not match whatever imported American "junk science" curriculum is in vogue within their subculture this year."

"Finally, we want to clarify that this is not an attack on the National Party per se. ALRANZ would voice equally vocal opposition to any other such statement from any other parliamentary caucus, including the current parties in government. There are certainly many other National MPs with more mainstream views on reproductive and sexual health education and we hope that they will make their own views clear, and contact the Leader of the Opposition." Mr.Young concluded.

Contact: Craig Young ALRANZ Research Officer ph 06 3569099 ext 7750

Dr Margaret Sparrow ALRANZ National President ph 04 4759886

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