From tonight’s late news :
Debate begins on abortion Bill
Article from: AAPBy Katie Bradford
October 07, 2008 07:47pmVICTORIA’S proposed abortion legislation received support as it began its journey through the Upper House today.
Debate on the controversial Bill, which seeks to decriminalise abortions up to 24 weeks gestation, began late this afternoon in the Legislative Council, with MPs being allowed conscience votes.
After passing through the Lower House unamended last month, the Abortion Law Reform Bill was expected to receive a tough ride in the Upper House.
But of the first six speakers to air their views during today’s debate, only one was opposed, while a previously undecided MP, Nationals Peter Hall, said he would support the Bill.
Mr Hall believed if the Bill was defeated the status quo would remain.
“I want you all to understand if you vote against the Bill ... we will be no better off than the current situation implies,” Mr Hall told his fellow Upper House members.
He said he did not believe arguments that if the Bill passed, the number of abortions in Victoria would increase.
Under the legislation, two doctors would decide if an abortion was appropriate after 24 weeks based on the woman’s physical, psychological and social circumstances.
Greens MP Colleen Hartland, who had an abortion 27 years ago, said all three Green Upper House members supported the legislation.
In a moving speech, she spoke of the traumatic experiences women underwent when backyard abortions were still common, and dedicated her speech to all women who had died or were maimed during an abortion.
She said the decision to have an abortion after 24 weeks was “truly the exception and only done in exceptional circumstances”.
“It’s the most heartwrenching and heartbreaking decision, a pregnancy that starts with joy ... ended with heartbreak and grief.”
Her key argument was the decision to have a termination, at whatever stage of the pregnancy, should be a woman’s alone.
After Ms Hartland concluded her speech and Labor MP Candy Broad began hers in support of the Bill, a woman in the public gallery yelled abuse at Ms Broad and made an offensive gesture.
Liberals MP John Vogels spoke of his staunch opposition to the Bill.
He believed abortion destroyed a life and was a sign of a selfish society that women wanted to be able to abort a baby if it had a disability.
Earlier today, a group of doctors called on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to stop the Bill from proceeding, saying it breached human rights and an international treaty.
Doctors in Conscience Against Abortion Bill said it has received legal advice that finds the Bill is in conflict with Victoria’s Charter of Rights and Responsibilities and the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The ICCPR is an international treaty to which Australia is a signatory.
Group spokeswoman Dr Mary Lewis said the Bill was unprecedented in the western world, imposing laws that forced doctors to act in violation of their conscientious beliefs.
“The Australian Government has an obligation to ensure Australia’s laws are consistent with the charter, and we call upon Mr Rudd to intervene with Victorian Premier John Brumby and insist that Victoria not proceed with this legislation,” Dr Lewis said.
One of the most contentious aspects of the Bill is that it says medical practitioners who have a moral objection to abortion must refer a woman on to another practitioner who doesn’t have the same objection.
Debate on the Bill in the Upper House is expected to continue for the rest of the week.
Get the latest Sydney stories, Culture and Indepth on your mobile device. Visit sydang.mobi
