[Greens-Media] Abortion reform should rise above party politics

[Alison Orme]

Media Release - Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 19 August 2009

Abortion reform should rise above party politics

Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Premier Nathan Rees and Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell to support abortion law reform and work together to ensure women and doctors can access abortion services without the risk of criminal prosecution, ('Labor MPs support new calls to legalise abortion", p. 8, SMH). 

"Modernising NSW's abortion laws should be beyond party politics, with all parties working together," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"Premier Nathan Rees and Opposition Barry O'Farrell could refresh politics by joining forces and working co-operatively to bring forward progressive laws. 

"NSW is dragging the chain on abortion law reform in Australia, with Victoria and the ACT modernising their laws to treat abortion as a health not a criminal matter.

"A good way for Premier Rees to kick start reform is to give the NSW Law Reform Commission the job of reviewing NSW's outdated laws, with the aim of decriminalising abortion as occurred last year in Victoria. 

"The NSW Attorney General claims our existing laws work well, but the case of a young Cairns woman and her partner being prosecuted in a Queensland court is a reminder of the risks still existing with the current criminal regime.

"Maintaining the current laws, which lack clarity and certainty, easily allows a conservative judge or police commissioner to alter the status quo.

"Times have changed since abortion laws were enacted. 

"A majority of Australian's support a woman's right to choose which should be reflected in new laws in NSW," Ms Rhiannon said. 

Lee Rhiannon launched the Greens campaign to decriminalise abortion on 2009 International Women's Day. She since held a public forum on the issue at Parliament House. Read more about the campaign at http://www.lee.greens.org.au/ 

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au