ABORTION AMENDMENTS A MUST
An all-party meeting has been called tonight to thrash out major amendments to the Abortion Bill.
Pascoe Vale MP Christine Campbell has called the meeting at Parliament House for 8 pm.
Ms Campbell said many MPs have told her they are horrified at the lack of detail in the flimsy 10-page Abortion Bill.
“This Bill in its current state is a gift to the abortion industry, not to women,” Ms Campbell said.
Ms Campbell is a former Community Services Minister, who has more than 20 years experience assisting teenage girls and women with unexpected pregnancies.
“I am determined to get support from all MPs to pass amendments, whatever the outcome of the conscience vote.”
Ms Campbell said at least three amendments are vital if Victoria is to maintain only the current clinical practices, as the Government has promised.
They are:
• Informed consent – mandatory counselling for women on decision-making and procedure.
• Conscientious objectors – no career disadvantage for medical health professionals and workers who object to working in an abortion area.
• Qualified – those performing abortions must have some obstetric or gynaecological training.
“Until now abortion has been a ‘behind closed doors’ industry in Victoria with no regulations. If the Government is going to decriminalise this process we need to do it with our eyes wide open and demand modern legislation that spells out a standard of care for women,” Ms Campbell said.