A report on voluntary sterilisation with special reference to minors and women who are intellectually disabled.

Abstract

There are no specific legislative provisions regulating sterilisation in any State or Territory in Australia and there is a dearth of general case law on the subject. To determine the law relating to sterilisation, we need to consider both criminal and civil liability. In the absence of specific statutory provisions, it is necessary to examine the common law and the possible application of non-specific statutory provisions in both areas.