PREFACE

In 1963, before the association held its first meeting, a list of "Rules and Regulations" was drawn up. In 1966, using those "Rules" as a basis, a code of ethics was formulated. It was clear then, as it is today, that a national organisation requires a united code of conduct which is binding on all its office bearers.

All the clauses of the code of ethics have been derived from the basic 1963 "Rules and Regulations" and from the experience of members and counsellors of the association since that time. Inevitably from time to time, revisions became necessary as new "conduct situations" arose; as they will inevitably in the future. Much of the success of the Australian Breastfeeding Association can be traced back to the principles contained in the code.

The code has been designed not only to protect the association, but also to protect its counsellors and members as individuals. Failure to comply with the code lowers the standard of the whole association and results in confusion. Failure by a member to comply with the code may lead to the removal from office of such a member.

The code is binding on all Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellors and such other members as the board may from time to time determine.

The counsellors and appointed office bearers are namely:

• Group leaders
• Telephone and letter counsellors
• Such committees and office bearers as determined by the board
• Regional representatives
• Branch presidents
• Board members
• The founder and foundation members.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association’s objects are set out in the memorandum of association which determines the office bearers’ functions. The code of ethics determines the manner in which the office bearer conducts herself whilst performing those functions.

The principle objectives for which the association is established are:

(a)	To encourage and to give confidence and moral support to mothers who wish to breastfeed their babies.
(b)	To create in mothers an interest in breastfeeding as an aid to the art of skilled and loving mothering, thus encouraging close and happy family relationships.
(c)	To create an awareness in the community of the importance of human milk, breastfeeding and nurturing and of the need for community support for the nursing mother and her baby.
(d)	(i) mother-to-mother contact, particularly through individual counselling and group activities; (ii) making available the experience of breastfeeding mothers and the results of research to members of the association and to other interested persons and organisations. (iii) cooperate with medical and allied health professions, public health and education authorities and governments; (iv) public relations and community education, including antenatal, parental and school education; (v) liaison and exchange with interested individuals and organisations within Australia and overseas; (vi) collection, publication and dissemination of information, and the provision of resource facilities; (vii) undertaking sponsoring and encouraging research and liaison with researchers in Australia and overseas.

Keep the principal objects and code in mind when working for the Association.

Mary Paton, Founder of the Nursing Mothers’ Association.
The Nursing Mothers’ Association is now known as the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

^* For a copy of the full code of ethics, please download pdf version here.

SIXTH REVISION - APRIL 1982
REVISED EDITION - MAY 1994
REVISED EDITION -FEBRUARY 1997
REVISED EDITION – AUGUST 2001(Association name change)
REVISED EDITION — AUGUST 2007 (in accordance with Registered Training Organisation)
REVISED EDITION — MARCH 2009