[Greens-Media] Greens support "conscientious objection" abortion provisions (Vic, C Hartland)

[Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au]

GREENS SUPPORT "CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION" ABORTION PROVISIONS

Greens MLC Colleen Hartland has given qualified support for some 
provisions of the government's Abortion Law Reform Bill 2008.

"I congratulate the government for having the courage to include measures 
to ensure that doctors may conscientiously object to performing an 
abortion, but that women seeking an abortion must be referred through to a 
doctor who is willing to assist," said Colleen Hartland.

"This reflects the Victorian Law Reform Commission recommendations for 
compulsory effective referral."

"I also wholeheartedly support the measures that ensure that, in an 
emergency where an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the 
pregnant woman, doctors and nurses are under a duty to save the woman’s 
life."

"However, having read the Bill, I still can't see a reason for taking the 
decision making process away from the woman and giving it to two doctors, 
at a particular stage in the pregnancy."

"This goes against the Greens policy, and against my own views."

"We will consider the bill in detail as it is debated in the lower house," 
said Ms Hartland





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