Nelson opposes changes to foreign aid abortion ban

04/06 ABC News | Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson says he is against a push to overturn a ban on Australian foreign aid paying for abortion advice. Government MPs are debating whether the Foreign Affairs Minister should lift the ban imposed by the former Coalition Government 12 years ago.

The Greens want it removed but Dr Nelson says it should stay.

"We should also be supporting the education of women about their fertility," he said. "We should also be be prepared to support - where it is appropriate - access to birth control in the developing world where women are free to make their choices, but I don't believe that Australian aid money should be used to support abortion."

A Brief Overview compiled by Saltshakers

A conscience vote for all parties.

(Supporting statements for Christian Values Check List Federal election November 2007 - sent out by Saltshakers)

Lesbian use of IVF not in children's interests, says Baillieu.

(26/9/2006) The Age | LESBIANS should not be given the right to IVF treatment, because children deserve to be born into a family with a mother and father, according to State Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu.

In one of his most conservative social stances since taking over the Liberal leadership almost five months ago ... .... Mr Baillieu's comments are in line with the views of Prime Minister John Howard, who believes that "all things being equal, children are entitled to the opportunity of both a mother and a father".

... They are in contrast with his views on other social issues, including gay civil unions, the decriminalisation of abortion, and voluntary euthanasia, all of which Mr Baillieu supports. He has been criticised by some of the more conservative Liberals for being too "left-leaning" on these issues.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/lesbian-use-of-ivf-not-in-childrens-interests-says-baillieu/2006/09/25/1159036473101.html

Ted Baillieu: the next Labor Premier

Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun Columnist - Friday, July 28, 2006

It is an interesting strategy for a Liberal leader - trying to beat Labor by being even more on the Left than they are.

I know David Cameron of Britain’s Conservative Party is trying this bizarre trick, but I hope Ted Balliieu gets clobbered for it.

Is it conviction or the lack of it that has Balliieu now reportedly promising to protect state employees from John Howard’s wicked Australian Workplace Agreements?

Add to that his support for gay civil unions, voluntary euthanasia, condoms for prisoners and decriminalising abortion - a move which would make it legal to kill a baby in the womb just days from birth.

No wonder The Australian reports that “deep concerns are emerging about Ted Baillieu with Victorian Liberals fearing their leader has committed electoral suicide by adopting the Greens’ agenda”.

Aren’t elections about offering a choice, and not more of the worst? 

http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/ted_baillieu_the_next_labor_premier/

The following is excerpted from a speech made by Tony Abbott entitled,"The Ethical Responsibility of a Christian Politician " on 17th March, 2004

... as much effort should be put into preventing teenage promiscuity as is devoted to stopping young people smoking or driving too fast, so that there will be fewer abortions and "fewer traumatised young women".

Society had to create a culture where people understand "that actions have consequences" and "take their responsibilities seriously". "Why isn't the fact that 100,000 women choose to end their pregnancies regarded as a national tragedy approaching the scale (say) of Aboriginal life expectancy being 20 years less than that of the general community?" he said at Adelaide University yesterday.

"Even those who think that abortion is a woman's right should be troubled by the fact that 100,000 Australian women choose to destroy their unborn babies every year."

... Mr Abbott said he was amazed that he was often challenged on moral grounds over the Government's policy of detention of boat people, but had never been asked by an Australian Christian why he can "preside over a Medicare system which funds 75,000 abortions a year". (Link to Full Speech)

NOTE: Tony Abbot is the Federal member for Warringah, Leader of the House and also the Minister for Health and Ageing.

March 28, 2004 - Abbott pushes anti-abortion debate

Mr Abbott has restated his case that the number of abortions in Australia is a high-order national tragedy. He has told Channel Ten there is no move to change the Federal Government's policy to fund abortions through Medicare, but he is hopeful his comments will spark a public debate on the issue.

Interview with Neil Mitchell 3AW, 11th November, 2004

MITCHELL: ... Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, the Health Minister, says today don’t abort the foetus, adopt the child out. Do you agree with him?

PRIME MINISTER: Well different people according to their views will have a different opinion. But I don’t like, I don’t think anybody likes abortion, I think everybody would like to see fewer abortions, I think everybody would like to see more effective contraception, I certainly am very much in that camp, I think the more sensible sex education at an early age in responsible, proper, positive circumstances we can have the better and I feel that…"

... MITCHELL: Well do you agree with the don’t abort, adopt?

PRIME MINISTER: Well that’s a matter of individual choice.

MITCHELL: What’s your view?

PRIME MINISTER: Well my view’s very conservative,I personally don’t like abortion, that’s my personal…