The Wire

SBS television is tonight screening a documentary, detailing the life of former Melbourne Dr Bert Wainer. During the late 1960’s, while fighting to make abortion accessible, affordable and safe Dr Wainer and his wife risked their own lives and uncovered a web of corruption involving abortionists, politicians and police. Bert died in 1987, but his wife Jo Wainer is still passionate about the issue, and has just released a book titled Lost: Illegal Abortion Stories. Jo Wainer spoke to The Wire and began by describing Melbourne society at the time.