[Greens-Media] Iemma and Debnam must declare their position on abortion

[Susie Gemmell]

MEDIA RELEASE
24 August 2006

Iemma and Debnam must declare their position on abortion


Greens MP and women’s spokesperson, Lee Rhiannon today called on Premier Morris Iemma and opposition leader Peter Debnam to declare their position on abortion so that women can know where the state’s political leaders stand on this important issue affecting women’s lives.

“Morris Iemma and Peter Debnam need to declare where they stand on abortion,” said Ms Rhiannon.

“Premier Iemma must reiterate his Government’s support for women’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion. 

“Peter Debnam needs to make it clear that his party will support the right to safe and legal abortion despite the ascendency of Christian fundamentalism in his party.

“Both Iemma and Debnam need to reassure women that in NSW abortion will be treated as a health issue, and that as leaders they will not tolerate conservative MPs debating abortion as a moral issue.

“A women’s right to control her own fertility is a critical issue to women’s lives that comes under attack every time abortion makes the news.   

“The case of the NSW doctor found guilty of performing an illegal abortion should not be used as excuse for anti-abortion campaigners and certain religions groups to push their agenda to limit women’s right to have an abortion. 

”The current case highlights the need for better quality medical services for those women who are making the difficult decision whether or not to have an abortion.

“Time and again the so-called debate about late term abortions is misused to undermine women’s right to an abortion.

“As a Greens MP I reiterate my party’s commitment to every woman’s right to control their reproductive destiny and I call on the major parties to do the same,” said Ms Rhiannon. 



More information:  0427 861 568


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Susie Gemmell
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Mon, Thur, Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile:  0431 458 102
Email   susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web    www.leerhiannon.org.au