WOMEN DESERVE MORE THAN SIMPLE DECRIMINALISATION OF ABORTION
Pascoe Vale MP Christine Campbell said women with pregnancy worries deserve a better response from Parliament than the simple decriminalisation of the abortion laws.
“Focusing on one choice only – legalised abortion – does not provide women with a genuine choice,” Ms Campbell said.
“Irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming conscience vote on abortion, State Parliament must legislate for a mandatory standard of care for women who may legally terminate a pregnancy.
“Because abortion has remained in the Crimes Act, there are no comprehensive regulatory requirements that cover the procedure of having an abortion. That’s got to change.
“Abortion is far more serious than day procedures such as the removal of a sun spot.
“My big concern is that everyone’s so hell bent on decriminalising abortion, we might forget to put in place the support and care systems that women and couples need.”
Ms Campbell is heading a “Living Labor” team that is determined to get support from all State MPs to pass amendments needed to protect women, whatever the outcome of the vote.
“Women who have pregnancy worries need options and decision-making counselling, information on their unborn’s stage of development, full factual termination procedure information and identification of risk factors, to be able to give informed consent.”
She said State-wide statistical and clinical data needed to be collected so everyone would now know:
• The number of abortions being performed,
• Where they were being performed,
• The number of minors seeking abortions, and
• The stage of the pregnancy when the abortion occurred.
“Women and families need programs of practical assistance which enable women to have alternatives to legalised abortion.”