http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Victoria-to-scrap-funded-circumcision/2007/08/13/1186857375818.html

From next month, Victoria will be the fourth Australian state to no longer provide circumcisions at public hospitals for non-medical reasons.

From September, circumcisions will be performed in Victoria only where doctors determine there is a need because of concerns over infections or disease.

NSW, Western Australia and Tasmania have already implemented the change.

Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews on Sunday said there was no medical evidence to support routine circumcision of newborn males.

"In Australia and New Zealand, the circumcision rate has fallen considerably in recent years, and it is estimated that only 10 to 20 per cent of male infants are routinely circumcised," Mr Andrews said.

"Both nationally and overseas, doctors agree there is no medical benefit to routine circumcision, and studies show the complication rate is around five per cent."

Mr Andrews said parents who wish to have their son circumcised for religious reasons could have the procedure done in private hospitals.

Yes it's about time.  Are circumcisions legal in public hospitals in other states?  How could anyone let a knife be taken to their baby son and put him through that sort of torture for the sake of appearance or religion.

It's primitive and in my mind barbaric.  The male can always have it done as an adult if he feels strongly in favour of it, but there have been too many accidents leading to mutilation which is a good enough reason to avoid it.