QUEENSLAND could decriminalise abortion in Premier Anna Bligh's first term in Government.

Aspley MP Bonny Barry is preparing to introduce a Private Member's Bill to remove abortion from the criminal code within the next 18 months, after being encouraged by Ms Bligh in mid-2000 to put the plan on ice.

Ms Bligh told The Courier-Mail she would support a Bill to decriminalise abortion.

"I have been on the public record a number of times on this issue and I believe that those decisions are best made by a woman, her partner and her doctor and they are ultimately private decisions," she said.

"If . . . there was a Bill in the Parliament to decriminalise it, I would support such a Bill, but I have no intention of introducing such a Bill."

If the Bill is introduced, it will be the second time in the short term of the Bligh Government that MPs will exercise a conscience vote. Parliament earlier this month passed laws to enable scientists to clone embryos for research.

 It is understood MPs will remain silent over the next few weeks so the devisive and polarising subject doesn't distract from the federal election campaign of Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd.

... Decriminalising abortion is within the ALP's convention, however in 2002 Mr Beattie refused to take up a Labor state conference resolution to further liberalise terminations.

Mr Rudd said yesterday: "The question of decriminalisation is a matter for each state and territory government."

Full Article: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22663686-952,00.html

SPECIAL NOTE ON THE TYPES OF INDUCED ABORTION AVAILABLE:
In the first week there are micro-abortions caused by "contraceptive" drugs and devices. After implantation there are those induced by drugs such as RU 486, Methotrexate and prostaglandins. In the first trimester there are surgical abortions like suction and D&C. In the second and third trimesters there are instillation types, D&E, intracardiac injections and partial birth abortions.

Remember ALL Abortions will be LEGAL under this legislation

Partial Birth Abortion, also called "brain suction" or "D&X" methods, is particularly horrendous - This procedure can be performed on unborn babies anywhere from 13 to 32 weeks old..
- 80% of babies are normal & most babies are viable.

This is like a breech delivery. The entire infant is delivered except the head. A scissors is jammed into the base of the skull. A tube is inserted into the skull, and the brain is sucked out. The now-dead infant is pulled out. The drawing. illustrate this

NOTE - An 8 year Senate battle in the USA finally banned Partial Birth abortion in February 2007. 4 out of 5 Judges declared this procedure to be nothing less than Infanticide.

QUOTE: "There are no medical circumstances in which a partial-birth abortion is the only safe alternative. We take care of pregnant women who are very sick, and babies who are very sick, and we never perform partial-birth abortions. . . . There are plenty of alternatives. . . . This is clearly a procedure no obstetrician needs to do." F. Boehm, Dr. OB, Vanderbilt U. Med. The Washington Times, May 6, 1966, p. A1

Pregnancy Reductions will also become legal under this legislation ..... & intracardiac injections ... Since the advent of fertility drugs, multi-fetal pregnancies have become common. "The frequency of triplet and higher pregnancies . . . has increased 200% since the early 1970s."

QUOTE: Since these are usually born prematurely and some have other problems, a new method has been developed. Assisted Repro. Techniques . . . , L. Wilcox, Fertl. & Sterility, vol. 65, #2, Feb. ’96, pg. 361

At about 4 months a needle is inserted through the mother’s abdomen, into the chest and heart of one of the fetal babies and a poison injected to kill him or her. This is "pregnancy reduction." It is done to reduce the number or to kill a handicapped baby, if such is identified. If successful, the dead baby’s body is absorbed.

Sometimes, however, this method results in the loss of all of the babies.

Legal abortion on demand for Victoria

29/05 Saltshakers Media Release | Victorian Law Reform Commission Report on Abortion tabled in Victorian Parliament TODAY

As expected, the VLRC has recommended that abortion be 'decriminalised' - removed from the Crimes Act. This really means making it LEGAL.

This is not a surprise BECAUSE the government, in the 'terms of reference', asked the VLRC to "provide advice about options to:

As expected, they have ignored all the people who said NO - ABOUT 80% OF THE 500 SUBMISSIONS!!!  

The Report lists three legislative MODELS for the government to choose from in order to remove abortion from the Crimes Act.
All laws would be placed in the Health Act.

VICHANSARD
Whole Speech (Daily Hansard - Proof Version Only)
Title CRIMES (DECRIMINALISATION OF ABORTION) BILL
House COUNCIL
Activity Statement of Compatibility
Members BROAD / Date 19 July 2007 / Page 15

Ms BROAD (Northern Victoria) tabled following statement in accordance with Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act:

In accordance with section 28 of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act (the charter), I make this statement of compatibility with respect to the Crimes (Decriminalisation of Abortion) Bill 2007.

In my opinion, the Crimes (Decriminalisation of Abortion) Bill 2007, as introduced in the Legislative Council, is compatible with the human rights protected by the charter.

Overview of bill
The bill amends the Crimes Act 1958 to abolish the offences of unlawful abortion by the repeal of two relevant provisions in the Crimes Act 1958, to abolish any common law offences of unlawful abortion and to ensure the provision of safe and competent health services to women having an abortion.

Human rights issues
1. Human rights protected by the Charter that are relevant to the bill This bill does not raise any human rights issues.

The charter protects and promotes the human rights of 'persons', or 'human beings', regarded under Victorian law as existing from the time a child is born alive and exists separate from, and independent, of their mother.

The charter does not disturb this well-established legal position and expressly provides that the provisions of the charter do not affect the law applicable to unlawful abortion the subject of the bill (section 48 of the charter).

2. Consideration of reasonable limitations -- section 7(2) The bill does not limit any human right and therefore it is not necessary to consider section 7(2) of the charter. Conclusion

Link for full transcript of the second reading of the bill : Here

Broad's bold venture
Ellen Whinnett, Herald Sun
July 21, 2007

"... Removing abortion from the Crimes Act has been on the Labor Party's policy agenda for years, put there by the wider party but repeatedly ignored by the conservative, steady-as-she goes parliamentary party led by Bracks.

The Premier himself does not want the laws changed, although he is now leaning towards allowing restrictions on abortion to be included in the Health Act, rather than in the Crimes Act.

Upper House MP Carolyn Hirsh planned to introduce a private member's Bill, but left Parliament after a drunken car crash before she could see the Bill through.

She was in the gallery to support Broad when she introduced the Bill this week, along with former minister Kaye Setches, who was in Government during Joan Kirner's days as premier.

Link for full article & context here: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22106845-5000117,00.html

LABOR family services spokesman Wayne Swan is to be congratulated for his courageous policy shift in favor of boosting Australia’s birth rate ("ALP package aims to boost birth rate," December 19).

No doubt he will be ‘the recipient of a Women’s Electoral Lobby wooden spoon for "services to wimmin".

However, Labor’s new policy will not be effective unless there is a philosophical shift in favor of births over abortions.

Feminist groups are ideologically committed to promoting abortion — if they were truly pro-choice rather than pro-abortion, they would not fight tooth and nail as they have in the ACT to prevent photos of foetal development being included In the counselling booklet being given to women considering abortion

Nor would they recommend the ultrasound screen be turned away from these women so they cannot see the images of their unborn babies. Whether one is pro-abortion or pro-life, if one genuinely respects the autonomy of women one should always be pro-information. Women are entitled to know about post-abortion grief and about increased risk of breast cancer.

... Mr Swan should make provision of this information, and of foetal pictures, compulsory by all abortion providers. It may help to reduce the horrendous toll of 100,000 abortions yearly in Australia, and boost the birth rate.

Babette Francis, Endeavour Forum Inc,

http://www.endeavourforum.org.au/swan.htm

"EMILY's List Australia is a national organisation aimed at getting more progressive Labor women elected to Parliament.

Formed in 1996, EMILY's List has provided crucial support to women seeking election to government. To date EMILY's List has supported 115 new women MPs into parliaments around Australia.... There are currently almost 3,000 members of EMILY's List across Australia ..."

"... EMILY's List is a political network formed to increase the number of women Labor parliamentarians who are willing to support the crucial issues of childcare, equal pay, pro choice..."

Source Website: http://www.emilyslist.org.au/

2nd October, 2006
Lateline Interview with Tony Jones

... TONY JONES: You also seem to be arguing by key personal, moral issues identified by conservative Christian, like abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, homosexuality, are all of a lesser order than the big picture issues of poverty and injustice?

.... KEVIN RUDD: No, they're of a different order. When it comes to questions of, let's call it the life issues of abortion and euthanasia and stem cell research; plainly these are matters of deep individual conscience as they affect the fundamental existence of human life. When it comes to questions of human sexuality, then of course you'll have questions of conscience as well as a broader social responsibility.

Link for full transcript / context here: : http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2006/s1753915.htm

Faith in Politics

By Kevin Rudd

The Monthly, October 2006

" ... One of those honoured ... is Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian, pastor and peace activist . Bonhoeffer is, without doubt, the man I admire most in the history of the twentieth century. He was a man of faith. He was a man of reason... And above all, he was a man of action who wrote prophetically in 1937 that "when Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." For Bonhoeffer, whatever the personal cost, there was no moral alternative other than to fight the Nazi state with whatever weapons were at his disposal... This essay seeks both to honour Bonhoeffer and to examine what his life, example and writings might have to say to us, 60 years after his death, on the proper relationship between Christianity and politics in the modern world..."

"..Where does Bonhoeffer's teaching fit within the history of Christian thought on church-state relations? ... "

Link for full transcript / context here: : http://www.themonthly.com.au/excerpts/issue17_excerpt_001.html

Reproductive health choices

3.38 Labor believes that women should be supported in their reproductive health choices.

Reasserting existing policy, Labor will amend section 65 of the Crimes Act to provide that no abortion be criminal when performed by a legally qualified medical practitioner at the request of the woman concerned.

* Labor will implement or enhance the range of programs and services aimed at supporting women through a broad range of their reproductive choices.

To better support women’s reproductive choices, Labor will:

• Fund ongoing research to determine the contributing factors to unplanned pregnancies;
• Provide greater social support for women who choose or choose not to continue with their pregnancy;
• Provide equitable access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies to all women; and
• Support the right of women to make their own informed decisions as to their sporting activities during pregnancy without discrimination.

...Victorian Labor recognises the recent decision to make the Therapeutic Goods Administration solely responsible for the approval of mifepristone and will urge the Federal Government to now:

• Ensure medical terminations are available to Australian women and that appropriately assessed products such as mifepristone (formerly known as RU486) are made available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme;
•Ensure that “morning after” emergency contraception remains easily available, as an “over the counter” pharmacy product for women;
• Increase provision of bulk billing in primary care health services to allow women to more easily access general contraception services; and
• Ensure impartial and independent pregnancy support counselling and pregnancy loss counselling is publicly funded and freely available.

(* Note: consistent with National ALP policy, this matter remains the subject of a conscience vote for all Members of Parliament.)

http://www.vic.alp.org.au/alp/pdf/policies/2006_vic_platform.pdf

Page 50

ALP adopts decriminalisation policy on abortion

From: The Age
By Farrah Tomazin
May 8, 2006

LABOR will go to the state election with a platform to decriminalise all abortions in Victoria after senior ministers led a push to stop the party's conservative right-wing watering down the controversial policy.

At a passionate ALP state conference debate at the weekend, Labor reiterated its pledge to change state law so terminations — at any stage of a pregnancy — are no longer a crime.

The vote came despite a bid by Labor's Catholic Right to change the existing platform, which states: "Labor will amend section 65 of the Crimes Act to provide that no abortion be criminal when performed by a legally qualified medical practitioner at the request of the woman concerned."

An amendment by conservative former minister Christine Campbell and backbencher Noel Pullen called for the platform to be changed so more consideration was given to the effects of late-term abortions.

Ms Campbell told the conference removing section 65 of the Crimes Act would allow women to have "abortion on demand".

"Advancements in medical technology have resulted in babies surviving months before a full-term delivery," her amendment said. "These premature babies are sentient. They feel pain and suffering and react to stimuli. This policy will allow abortion from conception to the time of full-term delivery, including partial-birth abortion."

Ms Campbell, Mr Pullen, backbencher James Merlino and former ALP vice-president Henry Pinksier spoke for the amendment. But it was voted down after Health Minister Bronwyn Pike, Women's Affairs Minister Mary Delahunty and women's policy committee chairwoman Hutch Hussein spoke in opposition.

Abortion has been decriminalised in Western Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. In Victoria, terminations are performed under the 1969 Menhennitt ruling, which permits abortionif it is seen as necessary to protect the life or health of the woman.

Decriminalisation is now in the ALP election platform and will be considered after the election if the Government is returned. Premier Steve Bracks has repeatedly said the Government will not change the law before the November 25 poll.

This year he shut down plans by Labor backbencher Carolyn Hirsh to force a conscience vote before the poll.

Link to Full Article for Context:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/alp-adopts-decriminalisation-policy-on-abortion/2006/05/07/1146940411307.html

Coalition Against the Decriminalisation of Abortion (CADOA)

The Victorian Labor Party Conference (May 2006), re-confirmed the ALP policy on the decriminalisation of abortion: The Platform says “Labor will amend section 65 of the Crimes Act to provide that no abortion be criminal when performed by a legally qualified medical practitioner at the request of the woman concerned”. (4), (5)

“An amendment by conservative former minister Christine Campbell and backbencher Noel Pullen called for the platform to be changed so more consideration was given to the effects of late-term abortions.” This was defeated. (6)

If implemented, this policy would mean that abortion would be allowed for ANY reason at ANY time during the pregnancy, including late term or partial birth abortions. This is currently the situation in the ACT, where there are no restrictions on abortion.

The parliamentary Labor Party is not bound to implement this policy - but there have been reports of ‘deals’ done by Mr Bracks with women in the ALP to decriminalise abortion in his next term. Therefore, it is reasonable to think that the Bracks Labor government might introduce such legislation in their next term if they are re-elected in November.

In March 2006 State Labor MP Carolyn Hirsh announced that she planned to bring in a private member’s bill to decriminalise abortion this year. She then backed down from that proposal; The Age suggested this was because of pressure from the Premier. (7)

Two months later the Herald Sun said Carolyn Hirsh “told a Women's Policy Committee meeting at ALP head office on April 12 that Premier Bracks' pledge to permit the decriminalisation of abortion would be "at the top of his agenda" if he won a third term -- provided she dropped her Private Members Bill.” (8)

For Full Article & Source Links:
http://www.cadoa.org/page_1157841889953.html

12 December 2005

EMILY's List Australia today congratulated Federal women MPs from across the parties who have united to remove Tony Abbott's veto on the availability of mifepristone (RU-486) in Australia.

"Claire's [Claire Moore] sponsorship of this Bill, as well as the voices of other EMILY's List supported MPs, make it clear that the reason for EMILY's List's establishment - to support more progressive Labor women to enter Parliament - will pay dividends for women's reproductive rights," Ms O'Byrne said.

Website: http://www.emilyslist.org.au/news/editorial.asp?id=206

Anthony Albanese is the Federal Member for Grayndler
He is also a member of the ALP National Executive and has served on the ALP National Executive Committee since 2004 -

"... Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler) (8.18 p.m.)—I want to speak in favour of the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial Responsibility for Approval of RU486) Bill 2005 and against the amendments that have been either moved or foreshadowed..."

"... We have had the debate on abortion in this country, and overwhelmingly the public supports a woman’s right to choose. Australian women have fought this fight before and have won. Women have fought for their right to choose and have control over their bodies in consultation with their doctors. In many ways, we are indebted to the struggle undertaken by those women. They fought long and hard to stop women having to resort to dangerous backyard abortions—because abortions will take place; they always have. ..."

For Full Context of Quotes Visit :
http://www.anthonyalbanese.com.au/file.php?file=/news/
BVBAWYLQHNWZYGSLOJMZQTYR/index.html

January 2005

BEAZLEY: ".... in the Labor Party, abortion is an individual issue. It's something that we all work through with our own conscience. For me, my part, I'm opposed to it, but that's a moral position it's not a position which relates to legal sanctions. I think the Australian people have taken the view and the Australian Court system has taken the view that criminal sanctions are inappropriate here and that these are matters that are worked by each family and each person in their own circumstances. For those folk who have my view I think that it's important not that we seek to punish, to criminalise but seek to help and we need a changed view I think on that front. .."

JOURNALIST: How do you feel about the debate coming up again, is it a debate that you support, that you want to have?

BEAZLEY: There are moral issues in the community and moral issues will always emerge in politics. I think that when any of these issues arise we always need to be very aware of the many human circumstances surrounding it. So those of us in politics who confront these issues should not be exploitative of them but sincere about them.

For Full Article & Source Links:
Doorstop Interview Transcript - Red Cross Headquarters, Melbourne
31st January 2005
http://alp.org.au/media/0205/dsifll010.phpl

House: Legislative Assembly- QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Date: Thursday, 2 August 2001
Member: BARRON-SULLIVAN; GALLOP
Subject: ELECTORAL REFORM, ELECTORAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Page: 1990 / 3

Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Premier: Does the Premier stand by the universally accepted principle of electoral accountability, as spelt out by the Commission on Government, that each member of Parliament should act in accordance with the wishes of his or her electorate? If so, will the Premier allow his party a free vote on his electoral legislation, or will country Labor members be forced to toe the Australian Labor Party line?

Dr GALLOP replied: ".... The Labor Party in Parliament works according to certain rules. On important questions of life and death, such as abortion on the one side and euthanasia on the other, the Labor Party allows a conscience vote because, on those issues, we do not think it appropriate to straitjacket the consciences of people. However, on other issues, the Labor Party quite openly says that its members stand united in this Parliament. We have our debates in the party room and at the Labor Party conference, but we come into this Parliament and stand united. Everybody knows that. It has been part of the Labor Party platform since the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century..."

Link for full transcript / context - here: