The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) yesterday expressed concern at the haste in which the Victorian Government plans to ram through abortion laws which fail to help women with unsupported pregnancies and ignore the ethical implications of aborting babies – including those old enough to survive in neo-natal units.
ACL Victorian Director Rob Ward said the Government appeared to be pursuing options which would increase Victoria’s high abortion rate despite its stated aim not to “expand the extent to which terminations occur”.
“As I understand it the legislation is being tabled this week and the community and politicians are being left with less than three weeks to consider its implications before it will be debated,” Mr Ward said.
“Why the haste? Does the Government really think three weeks is long enough for the community and parliamentarians to properly consider such huge ethical issues as whether an unborn child which is old enough to survive outside the womb should be legally killed just because it has a cleft palate, or the risk of dwarfism, or even just because the mother’s economic or social circumstances have changed?
“It appears issues of informed consent about the physical and mental health risks for women from abortion are being ignored along with alternative choices that could actually assist women with unsupported pregnancies.”
Mr Ward said that the Government has made much of not wanting to increase abortion levels but it appeared that was where it was headed.
“The Government is reportedly favouring Model B, which it is no doubt hoping will be seen as a compromise option, but in reality all the models are unacceptable and all the models are likely to lead to increased abortions – with Models B and C likely to lead to the biggest rise.
“And now late-term and partial birth abortion apologists are trying to give politicians and the public the impression that people are in favour of late-term abortions,” Mr Ward said.
“If people knew the facts about partial birth abortion, they certainly would not support this being part of the Victorian legislation, despite what the apologists might say.
“Most Australians – including Victorians – are very uncomfortable with our high abortion rates and a 2005 national opinion poll by Market Facts has shown that 67 per cent of people are opposed to the Medicare funding of abortions in the second trimester.”
Mr Ward said the Victorian Government should not ignore the fact that there is widespread community concern about the 20,000 abortions carried out in Victoria each year.
“It is dreadful that the Government is looking to push through laws at break-neck pace which are not only likely to add to this appalling statistic, but which are also likely to see increased abortions at a stage where children can feel pain and survive outside the womb.
“We’re calling on the Government to take stock of what’s involved and seriously rethink their course of action.”
Source: Australian Christian Lobby (ACL)
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Rushed abortion laws fail women and ignore ethics
Tuesday, 19 August 2008, 14:53 (EST)
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